Abstract: An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat sinking a camera module, which may be used in an automotive camera, which includes but is not limited to automotive rear-view cameras, is described herein. Heating conductors and heat conductive pads may be arranged in a parallel orientation within the housing of the camera module to dissipate heat produced by the printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other components within. The heat conducting pads may conduct heat away from the PCB or component being cooled and into the heat sink, which may be a heat conducting material including but not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloys, or copper. The heating pads may also fill the air gaps within the housing of the camera module.

Abstract: A flexible medical needle for extended indwelling periods is provided. The medical needle apparatus includes a spine body and a flexible shaft portion. The spine body has a length between a first end, comprising a piercing tip, and a second end. The flexible shaft portion may be disposed on at least a portion of the spine body, forming a needle shaft having a passage along a portion of the length of the spine body. The spine body may also be coiled forming an axial passage within the spine body. In this latter embodiment, the flexible shaft portion surrounds the spine body. In each embodiment, the spine body is configured to facilitate bending, allowing for the medical needle to remain indwelling with reduced discomfort.

Abstract: An actuator for use with an on/off solenoid configured to maintain a position corresponding to the energized state of the solenoid when the solenoid is de-energized. The actuator is comprised of a guide that rotates a selector between one of two positions each time the solenoid is energized. One position of the actuator places the selector in an extended position and the other position of the actuator places the selector in a retracted position. To move the selector between the first and second positions, the solenoid is momentarily energized, and in each position of the selector, the solenoid is de-energized. The actuator can be coupled to a poppet valve to maintain the valve in one of two positions when the solenoid is de-energized.

Abstract: An Intelligent TV can organize metadata about media items for display in a variety of contextual panels. The panels may be interactive or informational and may provide recommendations of other media items to the user. The Intelligent TV can receive a request to activate a panel through the reception of signals from a remote control or a user interface. Based on the request, the Intelligent TV can determine the type of panel requested by the user. The layout, information, and content of a panel may depend on the context and content of the media item with focus when a user activates the panel. The Intelligent TV can retrieve metadata for the requested panel and can then transition to the desired panel and provide the retrieved metadata.

Abstract: A data service system in an Intelligent Television (TV) includes an internal content provider module configured to provide content to video hardware or display of the Intelligent TV or to a content provider module or application of the Intelligent TV and a subservice configured to provide the internet content provider module with requested data for a pre-defined data model. The internal content provider module is loaded on the Intelligent TV responsive to a user action or a schedule event on the Intelligent TV, and the internal content provider module organizes the received data from the subservice as the content according to a pre-defined format. The internal content provider module includes an EPG data provider, a media data provider, a media browser, a media scanner, and/or a thumbnail engine.

Abstract: Methods of and devices for using additive processes (e.g., 3D printing) to embed components inside an object are disclosed. In some embodiments, the components include active components, such as computer chips. In other embodiments, the components include passive components, such as inductor, resistor, and capacitors. The methods and devices disclosed herein can be used for rapid prototyping and fast manufacturing.

Abstract: An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMI 1 information, HDMI 2 information, HDMI 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling the switching of a field effect transistor (FET). A current controlled amplifier may be configured to amplify a current in a current sense device to generate an amplified current, wherein the current in the current sense device indicates a current through the FET. A comparator may be coupled to the current sense amplifier to compare a voltage corresponding to the amplified current with a voltage reference and to generate a comparator output based on the comparison, wherein the comparator output controls whether the FET is on or off.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a printed circuit board without the use of screws in a housing assembly comprising a bottom housing made of plastic and a top housing made of metal. The top housing comprises a plurality of ribs. The bottom housing comprises a plurality of flexible snap arms each having a head portion, which includes an angled lower face, a horizontal crush rib, and a vertical crush rib. Upon coupling of the assembly, the ribs exert a horizontal force on the flexible snap arms resulting in climbing of the angled lower face further onto the printed circuit board. The horizontal force may also crush the horizontal crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components to adjust for interference, preventing potential damage to the printed circuit board. Vertical forces may also crush the vertical crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a radio frequency absorbing (RFA) or perfect microwave absorbing (PMA) printed circuit board (PCB) is described herein. A metamaterial layer may be applied to a low dielectric substrate. Resistive and capacitive components may then be added to the metamaterial layer. The metamaterial layer may then be formed into an RFA or PMA PCB, which may comprise a multi-layered assembly for absorption of electromagnetic radiation in a targeted frequency range such as the microwave frequency range in the PCB.

Abstract: A delivery system having a telescoping spring is used to drive a plunger. The telescoping spring includes a nested inner spring that uses the unused volume on the inside of an outer spring. The telescoping spring has a staged release of each spring. The inner spring is connected to a non-anchored end of the outer spring, and rides within a container located within an inner dimension of the outer spring. The spring constant K of each spring can be the same or different. The delivery system can be fully mechanical or implemented as a smart delivery system under electronic control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining off-temperature behavior of a solenoid fluid control valve. The method comprises performing a current sweep at a first temperature. The method further comprises choosing a first and second characterization control pressure for characterizing the solenoid fluid control valve. A first current may be determined that corresponds to the first characterization control pressure based on the current sweep, and a first metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the first current. A second current corresponding to the second characterization control pressure may be determined based on the current sweep, and a second metric may be assigned to the solenoid fluid control valve based on the second current. Information regarding the behavior of the solenoid fluid control valve at a second temperature may be determined based on the first and second metrics.

Abstract: A delivery system having a telescoping spring is used to drive a plunger. The telescoping spring includes a nested inner spring that uses the unused volume on the inside of an outer spring. The telescoping spring has a staged release of each spring. The inner spring is connected to a non-anchored end of the outer spring, and rides within a container located within an inner dimension of the outer spring. The spring constant K of each spring can be the same or different. The delivery system can be fully mechanical or implemented as a smart delivery system under electronic control.

Abstract: A lead trimming module and system provides automated means for trimming leads of a mounted electrical component. A controller executes a programmable lead trimming algorithm and correspondingly controls a movement apparatus, such as an XYZ gantry robot, and mounted lead trimming module for selectively trimming lead protrusions to a programmed lead length.

Abstract: An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.

Abstract: An electronic module assembly and method of assembling an electronic module to a conductive fabric are provided. An electronic module assembly comprises a non-conductive fabric and a conductive fabric covering at least part of a first side of the non-conductive fabric. An electronics module is disposed on the conductive fabric, and a portion of the electronics module includes a wall defining a through hole. A fastener passing through the through hole and passing through the conductive fabric is configured to electronically couple the electronics module to the conductive fabric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a circuit on an uneven two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) surface of an object is described. An amount of electrically conductive material to form a circuit between two points on the object is determined. The determined amount of electrically conductive material is deposited on a first surface of a stretchable substrate. The stretchable substrate with the deposited electrically conductive material is applied to the object to form a circuit between two points on the object.

Abstract: Methods of making a copper interconnect plated through hole assembly are disclosed. Nano copper ink dispersed in an organic solvent is able to be filled in the plated through hole and forming the copper interconnect by sintering at a temperature below the melting of the copper.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling the switching of a field effect transistor (FET). A current controlled amplifier may be configured to amplify a current in a current sense device to generate an amplified current, wherein the current in the current sense device indicates a current through the FET. A comparator may be coupled to the current sense amplifier to compare a voltage corresponding to the amplified current with a voltage reference and to generate a comparator output based on the comparison, wherein the comparator output controls whether the FET is on or off.