Abstract: A method for applying RF energy to detect a processing state of an object placed in an energy application zone, during processing of the object, may include applying RF energy to the object during processing. The method may also include receiving computed RF feedback, correlated with one or more processing states of the object; and monitoring the computed RF feedback during the processing to detect the one or more processing states of the object.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for processing objects with RF energy. The apparatus may include a display for displaying to a user an image of an object to be processed, the image including at least a first portion and a second portion of the object. The apparatus may also include an input unit and at least one processor configured to: receive information based on input provided to the input unit; and generate, based on the received information, processing information for use in processing the object to achieve a first processing result in the first portion of the object and a second processing result in the second portion of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy to a device (e.g., an exhaust treatment device) is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one radiating element positioned to apply EM energy to the device at a plurality of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs), at least one processor configured to determine a first spatial distribution of EM energy to be achieved during application of EM energy to the device for selectively heating a target material associated with a first portion of the device in fluid communication with exhaust gas, and cause application of EM energy, such that the first spatial distribution of EM energy is applied to the target material.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy to process an object may include at least one controller configured to receive EM feedback-related values from an energy application zone, each of the values being associated with a respective MSE. The controller may also be configured to identify a change in one or more of the EM feedback-related values within a period of time; adjust the RF energy application based on the change in the EM feedback-related values identified, and cause application of RF energy to the energy application zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture by applying EM energy is disclosed. The apparatus may include a radiating element configured to apply EM energy to the fuel mixture at a plurality of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs), and a processor configured to determine at least one target spatial distribution of EM energy to be achieved during application of EM energy to the fuel mixture for igniting the fuel mixture, select a subset of MSEs from among the plurality of MSEs the subset of MSEs being selected to provide the at least one target spatial distribution, and cause application of EM energy to the fuel mixture at the selected subset of MSEs, via the at least one radiating element, to provide the at least one target spatial distribution of EM energy application.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in a first energy application zone via at least one radiating element is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one processor configured to cause the at least one radiating element to apply energy to the energy application zone at two or more MSEs; and adjust energy supplied to the at least one radiating element to follow changes in an MSE-dependent parameter, in absence of feedback from the energy application zone regarding the MSE-dependent parameter, based on data having been collected during energy application in a second energy application zone before the object is placed in the first energy application zone.

Abstract: A method for applying RF energy to detect a processing state of an object placed in an energy application zone, during processing of the object, may include applying RF energy to the object during processing. The method may also include receiving computed RF feedback, correlated with one or more processing states of the object; and monitoring the computed RF feedback during the processing to detect the one or more processing states of the object.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, kits, and systems relating to applying electromagnetic energy to an object located at least partially in an energy application zone are disclosed. Some apparatuses may include a processor configured to determine a preliminary amount of energy to be dissipated in the object and determine a corrected amount of energy based on the preliminary amount of energy and calibration information. The processor may be further configured to cause a source to transfer energy to the energy application zone and determine an amount of delivered energy, based on an amount of energy returned from the energy application zone and an amount of energy supplied to the energy application zone. The processor may also be configured to cause the source to transfer energy to the energy application zone at least until the amount of delivered energy equals the corrected amount of energy.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, kits, and systems relating to transferring electromagnetic energy to an energy application zone via a source of electromagnetic energy are disclosed. Some apparatuses may include a processor configured to determine a preliminary amount of energy to be dissipated in an object located at least partially in the energy application zone and determine a corrected amount of energy based on the preliminary amount of energy and calibration information. The processor may be further configured to estimate an amount of energy dissipated in the object. The processor may also be configured to cause the source to transfer energy to the energy application zone at least until the energy dissipated in the object as estimated equals the corrected amount of energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for processing objects with RF energy. The apparatus may include a display for displaying to a user an image of an object to be processed, the image including at least a first portion and a second portion of the object. The apparatus may also include an input unit and at least one processor configured to: receive information based on input provided to the input unit; and generate, based on the received information, processing information for use in processing the object to achieve a first processing result in the first portion of the object and a second processing result in the second portion of the object.

Abstract: Some exemplary aspects of the invention may be directed to an apparatus for processing an object by RF energy applied at a plurality of excitation setups. The apparatus may include a controller configured to select one or more excitation setups, from among a plurality of pilot excitation setups, for applying RF energy to a rotating chamber; and cause a source of RF energy to apply RF energy at the one or more selected excitation setups, wherein the controller is configured to both select the one or more excitation setups and cause the source of RF energy to apply RF energy to the one or more selected excitation setups at least twice during a single rotation of the rotating chamber. The apparatus may be a dryer.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy to an energy application zone is disclosed. The apparatus may include: a set of receiving radiating elements, including at least first and second radiating elements sequentially interconnected. The sequential interconnection may be such that energy received by one of the receiving radiating element from the energy application zone is emitted back to the energy application zone by the next radiating element in the sequence and energy received by the last radiating element in the sequence from the energy application zone is emitted back to the energy application zone by the first radiating element in the sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor configured to determine an amount of energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element at a first subset of the plurality of MSEs, determine an energy application schedule comprising timing instructions for applying energy at at least a subset of the plurality of MSEs, and cause application of energy according to the determined amounts of energy and the determined energy application schedule.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for applying RF energy to an object in an energy application zone via one or more radiating elements at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs). The apparatus may include at least one processor configured to cause supply of RF energy to one or more of the radiating elements in a first subset of the plurality of MSEs, at a first power level common to the MSEs in the first subset and for varying time durations, and cause supply of RF energy to one or more of the radiating elements in a second subset of the plurality of MSEs, at power levels lower than the first power level and for a time duration common to the MSEs of the second subset.

Abstract: A method of heating and/or thawing using an RF heater is described. In some cases the heating differentially heats portions according to their dissipation ratios. Optionally, this avoids dissipating large amounts of energy into thawed portions while frozen portions are still extant and heat slowly. Optionally, this prevents overheating of thawed portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy, via an antenna, to an object placed in a cavity is disclosed. The apparatus includes a Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) frequency source configured to feed the antenna with RF energy at a plurality of frequencies, and a controller configured to control the DDS frequency source to apply RF energy to the object.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a reading of a machine readable element associated with a consumable product, may include storing, by a computer, in a memory in communication with the computer, a record of apparatus identification information associated with an apparatus having a reader for reading the machine readable element. The method may also include obtaining usage information based on a reading of the machine readable element by the reader, wherein the usage information comprises identity information indicative of an identity of a supplier of the consumable product and applying, by the computer, a debit to the supplier of the consumable product based on the usage information and the apparatus identification information.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application.

Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.