Abstract: An electronic device includes a first dielectric layer above a semiconductor layer, lower-bandgap dielectric layer above the first dielectric layer, the lower-bandgap dielectric layer having a bandgap energy less than a bandgap energy of the first dielectric layer, a first capacitor plate above the lower-bandgap dielectric layer in a first plane of first and second directions, a second dielectric layer above the first capacitor plate, a second capacitor plate above the second dielectric layer in a second plane of the first and second directions, the first and second capacitor plates spaced apart from one another along a third direction, and a conductive third capacitor plate above the second dielectric layer in the second plane, the third capacitor plate spaced apart from the second capacitor plate in the second plane.

Abstract: A microelectronic device including a galvanic isolator with filler metal within an upper isolation element. The galvanic isolator includes a lower isolation element, an upper isolation element, and an inorganic dielectric plateau between the lower isolation element and the upper isolation element. The upper isolation element contains tines of filler metal which are electrically tied to each other and are electrically tied to the upper isolation element. The ends of the tines are rounded to minimize electric fields. The filler metal increases the overall metal density on the metal layer of the upper isolation element to meet the typical metal density requirements of modern microelectronic fabrication processing.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a galvanic isolation device on a silicon substrate and a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate. The galvanic isolation device includes a lower isolation element over the silicon substrate and an upper isolation element above the lower isolation element, separated by a dielectric plateau that comprises inorganic dielectric material extending from the lower isolation element to the upper isolation element. The galvanic isolation device includes lower bond pads connected to the lower isolation element adjacent to the dielectric plateau, and upper bond pads over the dielectric plateau, connected to the upper isolation element. The semiconductor device includes an active component, and device bond pads coupled to the active component. The microelectronic device includes first electrical connections to the lower bond pads and second electrical connections to the upper bond pads.

Abstract: Articulating surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument may include an elongated shaft assembly including an articulable portion moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First and second articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first and second articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument. The articulation lock also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system when an ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature is provided. In response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold temperature, a controller is adapted to operate a blower motor at a voltage that depends on whether the vehicle is in charge sustain mode or charge deplete mode. In response to an ambient temperature being greater than a threshold temperature, the controller is adapted to operate the blower motor at a voltage that does not depend on whether in the charge sustain or charge deplete modes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drill attachment device comprising a transfer gear configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of a drill used to power the transfer gear. The transfer gear may comprise an open-ended slot which provides a passageway through which a threaded rod may pass. The open-ended slot may further be configured to retain a mechanical nut, enabling a user to run a threaded rod through the open-ended slot for driving the nut along the rod. The transfer gear may also support an external driver, and the drill attachment device may comprise guide slots configured to position the rod and/or nut against the external driver for driving a nut up or down rod.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprises an obstacle scanning tool and steering mechanism, materials handling hardware, vehicle drive mechanism, and user interface that facilitate movement of the materials handling vehicle and materials handled along a travel path. The tool establishes a scan field, a filter field, and a performance field, and is configured to indicate the presence of obstacles in the filter field and the performance field. The tool executes logic to establish the performance field in response to an input performance level, scan for obstacles in the filter field and the performance field, execute obstacle avoidance for obstacles detected in the filter field, and execute a performance level reduction inquiry for obstacles detected in the performance field wherein outcomes of the inquiry comprise reduction of the performance level when a performance level reduction is available and execution of obstacle avoidance when a performance level reduction is not available.

Abstract: A trained cross-functional process model and a subject-specific virtual assistant provide service professionals access to a body of knowledge that could understand their specific needs, automate service tasks, and provide them service information when they need it. By embedding artificial intelligence in the service context, the techniques in this disclosure support low cost inputs that allow novice service professionals and artificial intelligence to replace the services of a journeyman, particularly in service contexts where service quality and/or human judgement is irrelevant or only marginally relevant. The systems and methods herein may, in some implementations, benefit stakeholders, owners, and/or equity holders in many service contexts.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprises an obstacle scanning tool and steering mechanism, materials handling hardware, vehicle drive mechanism, and user interface that facilitate movement of the materials handling vehicle and materials handled along a travel path. The tool establishes a scan field, a filter field, and a performance field, and is configured to indicate the presence of obstacles in the filter field and the performance field. The tool executes logic to establish the performance field in response to an input performance level, scan for obstacles in the filter field and the performance field, execute obstacle avoidance for obstacles detected in the filter field, and execute a performance level reduction inquiry for obstacles detected in the performance field wherein outcomes of the inquiry comprise reduction of the performance level when a performance level reduction is available and execution of obstacle avoidance when a performance level reduction is not available.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprises an obstacle scanning tool and steering mechanism, materials handling hardware, vehicle drive mechanism, and user interface that facilitate movement of the materials handling vehicle and materials handled along a travel path. The tool establishes a scan field, a filter field, and a performance field, and is configured to indicate the presence of obstacles in the filter field and the performance field. The tool executes logic to establish the performance field in response to an input performance level, scan for obstacles in the filter field and the performance field, execute obstacle avoidance for obstacles detected in the filter field, and execute a performance level reduction inquiry for obstacles detected in the performance field wherein outcomes of the inquiry comprise reduction of the performance level when a performance level reduction is available and execution of obstacle avoidance when a performance level reduction is not available.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprises an obstacle scanning tool and steering mechanism, materials handling hardware, vehicle drive mechanism, and user interface that facilitate movement of the materials handling vehicle and materials handled along a travel path. The tool establishes a scan field, a filter field, and a performance field, and is configured to indicate the presence of obstacles in the filter field and the performance field. The tool executes logic to establish the performance field in response to an input performance level, scan for obstacles in the filter field and the performance field, execute obstacle avoidance for obstacles detected in the filter field, and execute a performance level reduction inquiry for obstacles detected in the performance field wherein outcomes of the inquiry comprise reduction of the performance level when a performance level reduction is available and execution of obstacle avoidance when a performance level reduction is not available.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprises an obstacle scanning tool and steering mechanism, materials handling hardware, vehicle drive mechanism, and user interface that facilitate movement of the materials handling vehicle and materials handled along a travel path. The tool establishes a scan field, a filter field, and a performance field, and is configured to indicate the presence of obstacles in the filter field and the performance field. The tool executes logic to establish the performance field in response to an input performance level, scan for obstacles in the filter field and the performance field, execute obstacle avoidance for obstacles detected in the filter field, and execute a performance level reduction inquiry for obstacles detected in the performance field wherein outcomes of the inquiry comprise reduction of the performance level when a performance level reduction is available and execution of obstacle avoidance when a performance level reduction is not available.

Abstract: Pipelined logic latency in a memory system operating at a reduced frequency may be compensated for. Pipelined logic may be controlled using at least first and second clock signals. All registers of the pipelined logic may be controlled using the first clock signal when the memory system is operating at a higher frequency. However, when the memory system is operating at a reduced frequency, one or more registers may be controlled using the first clock signal, and one or more other registers may be controlled using the second clock signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to allocating memory resources of a computing device comprising non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM). An exemplary method is performed for every independently executable component of an application and includes determining attributes of the component. The method also includes associating the component with a memory profile of a plurality of memory profiles based on the attributes, wherein each memory profile of the plurality of memory profiles specifies a number of banks of the NVRAM and a number of banks of the DRAM. The method also includes causing the computing device to generate an assignment of the component to banks of the NVRAM and DRAM based on the memory profile associated with the component so the computing device can execute the component using the banks of the NVRAM and DRAM based on the assignment.

Abstract: Aspects include computing devices, systems, and methods for managing a first computing device component of a computing device in order to extend an operating life of the computing device component. In an aspect, a processing device may determine a condition estimator of the first computing device component, determine whether the condition estimator of the first computing device component indicates that a condition of the first computing device component is worse than the condition of a second computing device component, and assign workloads to the first and second computing device components to balance deterioration of the condition of the first and second computing device components in response to determining that the condition estimator of the first computing device component indicates that the condition of the first computing device component is worse than the condition of the second computing device component.

Abstract: A beverage brewing product for brewing a sweetened beverage is disclosed which produces a sweetened beverage solution that can be mixed with a diluting liquid and which comprises at least one water permeable sieve and/or a dissolvable film packet wherein beverage material and granulated sweetener are contained. The beverage material and sweetener are brewed and dissolved during steeping in hot water to produce a sweetened beverage solution. The beverage solution, if concentrated, is then mixed with a proportioned amount of diluting liquid to make a consistently sweet beverage. This beverage brewing product may be used to produce a variety of consistently sweetened beverages, including tea, coffee, lemonade, and other sweetened beverages.

Abstract: Pipelined logic latency in a memory system operating at a reduced frequency may be compensated for. Pipelined logic may be controlled using at least first and second clock signals. All registers of the pipelined logic may be controlled using the first clock signal when the memory system is operating at a higher frequency. However, when the memory system is operating at a reduced frequency, one or more registers may be controlled using the first clock signal, and one or more other registers may be controlled using the second clock signal.

Abstract: A beverage brewing product for brewing a sweetened beverage is disclosed which produces a sweetened beverage solution that can be mixed with a diluting liquid and which comprises at least one water permeable sieve and/or a dissolvable film packet wherein beverage material and granulated sweetener are contained. The beverage material and sweetener are brewed and dissolved during steeping in hot water to produce a sweetened beverage solution. The beverage solution, if concentrated, is then mixed with a proportioned amount of diluting liquid to make a consistently sweet beverage. This beverage brewing product may be used to produce a variety of consistently sweetened beverages, including tea, coffee, lemonade, and other sweetened beverages.

Abstract: Various aspects are described herein. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of communicating data between an electronic unit of a system-on-chip (SoC) and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The method includes initiating a memory transaction corresponding to first data. The method includes determining a non-unique first signature and a unique second signature associated with the first data based on content of the first data. The method includes determining if the non-unique first signature is stored in at least one of a local buffer on the SoC separate from the DRAM or the DRAM. The method includes determining if the unique second signature is stored in at least one of the local buffer or the DRAM based on determining the non-unique first signature is stored. The method includes eliminating the memory transaction with respect to the DRAM based on determining the unique second signature is stored.

Abstract: A beverage brewing product for brewing a sweetened beverage is disclosed which produces a sweetened beverage solution that can be mixed with a diluting liquid and which comprises at least one water permeable sieve and/or a dissolvable film packet wherein beverage material and granulated sweetener are contained. The beverage material and sweetener are brewed and dissolved during steeping in hot water to produce a sweetened beverage solution. The beverage solution, if concentrated, is then mixed with a proportioned amount of diluting liquid to make a consistently sweet beverage. This beverage brewing product may be used to produce a variety of consistently sweetened beverages, including tea, coffee, lemonade, and other sweetened beverages.