Abstract: A flexible switch has a deformable body and a plurality of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the deformable body. The switch has a first state in which the electrodes are spaced apart and a second state in which the electrodes are in electrical contact, and the switch is configured to allow movement between the states when a force is applied to or removed from the deformable body.

Abstract: An encoder system trains a compression model that includes an autoencoder model and a frame extractor model. The encoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive a set of target frames and a previous state tensor for the set of target frames and generate compressed code. The decoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive the compressed code and the previous state tensor for the set of frames and generate a next state tensor for the set of target frames. The frame extractor model is coupled to receive the next state tensor and generate a set of reconstructed frames that correspond to the set of target frames by performing one or more operations on the state tensor. The state tensor for the set of frames includes information from frames of the video that can be used by the frame extractor to generate reconstructed frames.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric circuit device including a conductive element configured to provide an electrical input to an electrical component, the resistivity of the conductive element being variable based at least on the extent of deformation thereof, and a deformable body coupled directly or indirectly to, or integral with, the conductive element such that deformation of the body causes the conductive element to deform, thereby varying the resistance thereof and altering the input to the electrical component. Said devices may be used singularly or in combination as logic elements within electrical circuits, providing drive and/or control functionality. Particular embodiments provide improved electrostatic generators.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a sensing apparatus comprising a set of N capacitive sensors connected over a single physical channel provided by two terminals, the apparatus comprising: a sensing array having a first capacitive sensor and N?1 parallel capacitive sensors each connected in parallel with first capacitive sensor, each capacitive sensor having electrodes separated by a dielectric to provide a capacitance which is able to vary with deformation to provide sensing, the array having a set of N?1 resistances each being in series with a respective one of the N?1 parallel capacitive sensors; a solution module operable to determine the capacitance of each capacitive sensor by finding solutions for a vector function equating reactance measured at the two terminals to an analytical model for impedance and/or reactance of the circuit seen at the two terminals, wherein the analytical model comprises N capacitances, each connected in parallel with each other, and comprises N series resistances each conne

Abstract: An encoder system trains a compression model that includes an autoencoder model and a frame extractor model. The encoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive a set of target frames and a previous state tensor for the set of target frames and generate compressed code. The decoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive the compressed code and the previous state tensor for the set of frames and generate a next state tensor for the set of target frames. The frame extractor model is coupled to receive the next state tensor and generate a set of reconstructed frames that correspond to the set of target frames by performing one or more operations on the state tensor. The state tensor for the set of frames includes information from frames of the video that can be used by the frame extractor to generate reconstructed frames.

Abstract: An encoder system trains a compression model that includes an autoencoder model and a frame extractor model. The encoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive a set of target frames and a previous state tensor for the set of target frames and generate compressed code. The decoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive the compressed code and the previous state tensor for the set of frames and generate a next state tensor for the set of target frames. The frame extractor model is coupled to receive the next state tensor and generate a set of reconstructed frames that correspond to the set of target frames by performing one or more operations on the state tensor. The state tensor for the set of frames includes information from frames of the video that can be used by the frame extractor to generate reconstructed frames.

Abstract: An encoder system trains a compression model that includes an autoencoder model and a frame extractor model. The encoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive a set of target frames and a previous state tensor for the set of target frames and generate compressed code. The decoding portion of the autoencoder is coupled to receive the compressed code and the previous state tensor for the set of frames and generate a next state tensor for the set of target frames. The frame extractor model is coupled to receive the next state tensor and generate a set of reconstructed frames that correspond to the set of target frames by performing one or more operations on the state tensor. The state tensor for the set of frames includes information from frames of the video that can be used by the frame extractor to generate reconstructed frames.

Abstract: A control system including an input component configured to receive an input and generate control information in response to the input; a communication link coupled to the input component; and a plurality of control components, each of the control components coupled to the input component through the communication link and configured to receive the control information and to actuate an associated actuator in response to the control information.

Abstract: The invention relates to transformers. More particularly, the invention relates to transformers using (preferably electrostatic and more preferably dielectric elastomer) transducers such as generators and actuators. The invention further provides a priming circuit therefor.

Abstract: The invention provides circuits, systems and methods for dielectric elastomer device (DED) self-sensing. The circuit comprises a first DED coupled or adapted for coupling to a first voltage source (for providing an actuating or priming signal, for example); a current sensor provided in series with the first DED; and an oscillating signal source coupled to the first DED and adapted to cause an oscillation in a voltage across the DED, wherein the oscillating signal source is decoupled from the first voltage source.

Abstract: The present application provides an automated beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage and ice into a cup. The automated beverage dispenser may include an ice dispensing station with an ice auger and a weight sensor, a beverage dispensing station, and a control device. The control device instructs the ice auger to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of ice and instructs the beverage dispensing station to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of the beverage in response to a weight of the cup as determined by the weight sensor.

Abstract: A control system including an input component configured to receive an input and generate control information in response to the input; a communication link coupled to the input component; and a plurality of control components, each of the control components coupled to the input component through the communication link and configured to receive the control information and to actuate an associated actuator in response to the control information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor apparatus comprising a dielectric elastomer device, a power source, a sensor, and a processor. The dielectric elastomer device comprises a layer of dielectric material and a pair of conductive electrodes on opposing sides of the dielectric layer. The power source is coupled with the electrodes to apply a stimulus signal between the electrodes, the stimulus signal comprising two or more stimulus components of different frequencies. A sensor coupled with the electrodes obtains a sensing signal indicative of a frequency response of the dielectric elastomer device. The processor is coupled with the sensor to receive the sensing signal, and configured to detect an external coupling with the dielectric elastomer device based at least in part upon the frequency response of the dielectric elastomer device. Also provided is a method for sensing an external coupling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.

Abstract: A control system including an input component configured to receive an input and generate control information in response to the input; a communication link coupled to the input component; and a plurality of control components, each of the control components coupled to the input component through the communication link and configured to receive the control information and to actuate an associated actuator in response to the control information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for standardizing spare parts lists including uploading one or more spare parts lists to a central portal; standardizing the one or more spare parts lists via the central portal, wherein the access to a standardizing level of the portal is associated with an advanced security clearance level; storing the one or more standardized spare parts lists in a database; releasing the one or more standardized spare parts lists; displaying the one or more standardized spare parts lists on a graphical user interface communicatively coupled to the central portal; and displaying a first asset to inventory ratio report over a period of time of an asset to inventory ratio based at least in part on data from the standardized one or more spare parts lists for at least one of an industrial manufacturing site and a plurality of industrial manufacturing sites.

Abstract: A self-powered converter and more particularly, though not exclusively, a step-down voltage converter requiring no external power supply, which is particularly suited to converting a high-voltage, low energy input from an intermittent DC power source to a low voltage DC output. There is provided an electrical converter for converting input power from an intermittent power source to a different voltage for a load, the converter comprising: a switched converter circuit coupled to an input for coupling to the power source and to an output for coupling to the load, the switched converter circuit arranged to convert power from the input to a different voltage and supply this to the output; a controller for controlling the switched converter circuit dependent on an input voltage at the input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pliable capacitive structures such as dielectric elastomers and similar smart materials which can be used for sensing externally applied strains which can be inferred by the determining the capacitance of the structure/material. There is provided an apparatus comprising a pliable capacitive structure for use in detecting shape or strain changes, the pliable capacitive structure having a dielectric material positioned between two electrodes; means for applying a steady-state voltage across the two electrodes; and means for determining changes in capacitance of the pliable capacitive structure using said steady state voltage.

Abstract: The present application provides an automated beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage and ice into a cup. The automated beverage dispenser may include an ice dispensing station with an ice auger and a weight sensor, a beverage dispensing station, and a control device. The control device instructs the ice auger to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of ice and instructs the beverage dispensing station to fill the cup with a predetermined amount of the beverage in response to a weight of the cup as determined by the weight sensor.