Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-bearing modules for re-use. The controlled growth environment may include vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers along one or more grow lines.

Abstract: A portable motorized fluid sprayer device is described, having a fluid tank and a pump manifold configured to pump fluid from the tank and into a connected fluid conveying structure (e.g., a hose, wand, nozzle, handle and/or similar structures). The manifold may include an electric motor, a gear pump, a controller, and a battery. Additionally, the fluid sprayer device may allow for spraying fluid with consistent pressure, recirculation of fluid within the tank, a gear pump for spraying or suctioning fluid from the fluid conveying structure, a safety lever, the ability to separate the pump manifold from the fluid tank, and other features.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of controlling a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system having a heat pump and an auxiliary heater to heat an inside zone, the method comprising: setting values for an economic balance point and a temperature set point; setting a capacity balance point to be equal to the economic balance point; measuring an initial inside temperature in the inside zone and an outside temperature outside of a structure containing the inside zone; determining that the initial inside temperature is lower than the temperature set point; determining that the outside temperature is greater than the capacity balance point; activating the heat pump to heat the inside zone; waiting a heating interval while the heat pump is active; determining that the heat pump is not effective in heating the inside zone; and setting the capacity balance point to be equal to the outside temperature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of controlling a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system having a heat pump and an auxiliary heater to heat an inside zone, the method comprising: setting values for an economic balance point and a temperature set point; setting a capacity balance point to be equal to the economic balance point; measuring an initial inside temperature in the inside zone and an outside temperature outside of a structure containing the inside zone; determining that the initial inside temperature is lower than the temperature set point; determining that the outside temperature is greater than the capacity balance point; activating the heat pump to heat the inside zone; waiting a heating interval while the heat pump is active; determining that the heat pump is not effective in heating the inside zone; and setting the capacity balance point to be equal to the outside temperature.

Abstract: A charging stand is provided including a body having a first surface, and a bump having a top region and one or more sides. The one or more sides extend between the first surface and the top region. The charging stand further includes one or more base contact pins that are coupled to the body. Each base contact pin has an exposed end disposed at a first distance in a first direction from the first surface. The charging stand further includes a bump contact pin extending from the top region of the bump. The bump contact pin has an exposed end disposed a second distance in the first direction from the first surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the first direction is perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A charging stand is provided including a body having a first surface, and a bump having a top region and one or more sides. The one or more sides extend between the first surface and the top region. The charging stand further includes one or more base contact pins that are coupled to the body. Each base contact pin has an exposed end disposed at a first distance in a first direction from the first surface. The charging stand further includes a bump contact pin extending from the top region of the bump. The bump contact pin has an exposed end disposed a second distance in the first direction from the first surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the first direction is perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A charging stand is provided including a body having a first surface, and a bump having a top region and one or more sides. The one or more sides extend between the first surface and the top region. The charging stand further includes one or more base contact pins that are coupled to the body. Each base contact pin has an exposed end disposed at a first distance in a first direction from the first surface. The charging stand further includes a bump contact pin extending from the top region of the bump. The bump contact pin has an exposed end disposed a second distance in the first direction from the first surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the first direction is perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A charging stand is provided including a body having a first surface, and a bump having a top region and one or more sides. The one or more sides extend between the first surface and the top region. The charging stand further includes one or more base contact pins that are coupled to the body. Each base contact pin has an exposed end disposed at a first distance in a first direction from the first surface. The charging stand further includes a bump contact pin extending from the top region of the bump. The bump contact pin has an exposed end disposed a second distance in the first direction from the first surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the first direction is perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and extending the operation time between recharges or replacement batteries of a portable audio delivery system. The audio delivery system may include a processor, an audio processing device, a speaker, and a rechargeable power source. The audio delivery system is generally configured to generate and/or receive an audio input signal and efficiently deliver an amplified, high quality audio output signal to a user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the audio processing device of the audio delivery system may include a switch mode power supply (SMPS), a signal delay element, an envelope detector, and a switching signal amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and extending the operation time between recharges or replacement batteries of a portable audio delivery system. The audio delivery system may include a processor, an audio processing device, a speaker, and a rechargeable power source. The audio delivery system is generally configured to generate and/or receive an audio input signal and efficiently deliver an amplified, high quality audio output signal to a user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the audio processing device of the audio delivery system may include a switch mode power supply (SMPS), a signal delay element, an envelope detector, and a switching signal amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and extending the operation time between recharges or replacement batteries of a portable audio delivery system. The audio delivery system may include a processor, an audio processing device, a speaker, and a rechargeable power source. The audio delivery system is generally configured to generate and/or receive an audio input signal and efficiently deliver an amplified, high quality audio output signal to a user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the audio processing device of the audio delivery system may include a switch mode power supply (SMPS), a signal delay element, an envelope detector, and a switching signal amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and extending the operation time between recharges or replacement batteries of a portable audio delivery system. The audio delivery system may include a processor, an audio processing device, a speaker, and a rechargeable power source. The audio delivery system is generally configured to generate and/or receive an audio input signal and efficiently deliver an amplified, high quality audio output signal to a user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the audio processing device of the audio delivery system may include a switch mode power supply (SMPS), a signal delay element, an envelope detector, and a switching signal amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and extending the operation time between recharges or replacement batteries of a portable audio delivery system. The audio delivery system may include a processor, an audio processing device, a speaker, and a rechargeable power source. The audio delivery system is generally configured to generate and/or receive an audio input signal and efficiently deliver an amplified, high quality audio output signal to a user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the audio processing device of the audio delivery system may include a switch mode power supply (SMPS), a signal delay element, an envelope detector, and a switching signal amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and extending the operation time between recharges or replacement batteries of a portable audio delivery system. The audio delivery system may include a processor, an audio processing device, a speaker, and a rechargeable power source. The audio delivery system is generally configured to generate and/or receive an audio input signal and efficiently deliver an amplified, high quality audio output signal to a user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the audio processing device of the audio delivery system may include a switch mode power supply (SMPS), a signal delay element, an envelope detector, and a switching signal amplifier.

Abstract: Limiting the sound pressure level presented to the listener's ears by one or more headphones, using processing capabilities of a personal media device. Headphones, coupled to audio signals from a personal media device, include a sensor to measure the sound pressure level presented to the listener's ears, and provide that measure to the personal media device. The personal media device, optionally aided by one or more analog circuits, adjusts the audio signal so that the sound pressure level is maintained within a recommended range.

Abstract: Optimized sound waves presented to the listener by headphones, notwithstanding differences in ear geometry and headphone positioning. A test signal causes an acoustic sensor to receive sound waves actually formed in the listener's ear cavity. A response from the sensor is compared with an expected ear cavity transfer function, from which desired adjustments to the audio signal are determined. The audio signal might be received from an application program, calibrated by an interface software element, and adjusted thereby, before forwarding to the headphones. Calibration might be performed from when the headphones are positioned, or dynamically in response to changes in the transfer function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a caching device for temporary storage of content generated using a content-generating device. The caching device and the content-generating device can be operatively coupled. The caching device can be worn on a user's body. The caching device includes a housing, a power source supported by the housing, a storage device adapted to store content, and an antenna supported by the housing. The antenna can transmit or receive content from/to the storage device to/from a content-generating device. The caching device can consume low power and can transfer content at low data rates.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to a portable storage device including a memory and a rechargeable power source. The portable storage device can include one or more connectors for connecting to one or more remote or external devices, such as a smartphone, table, computer, and the like. The portable storage device can receive digital data for storage in memory from one or more connectors, or can provide access to digital data in its memory to a remote or external device via the one or more connectors. The rechargeable power source can provide electrical power to a device via one or more connectors for recharging a battery of that device, or can receive electrical power from a source via the one or more connectors for recharging the rechargeable power source.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to a portable storage device having a memory and a plurality of connectors. The portable storage device can include a first connector for connecting to a first remote device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The portable storage device can receive digital data from the remote device, or can transfer digital data to the remote device. The portable storage device can include a second connector for connecting to an external device, such as a computer. Similarly, the second connector can enable the two-way transfer of digital data between the external device and the portable storage device. The portable storage device can include a third connector for connecting to a second remote device to enable the two-way transfer of digital data between the portable storage device and the second remote device. The portable storage device can facilitate data transfer between remote and external devices.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to a portable storage device having a memory and a standard connector for connecting to a variety of other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, or others. For example, the standard connector can be configured to interface with a cable having a corresponding standard connector on one end and a device-specific connector on the other such that the cable provides the connection between the portable storage device and the other device. The portable storage device can interface with one of such other devices via the standard connector to receive digital data from the other device for storage in memory, or can allow access to digital data stored in memory by the other device.