Abstract: A method of performing personalized neuromodulation on a subject is provided. The method includes acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of a brain of the subject. The method also includes calculating functional connectivity of the brain between a voxel in a subcortical region of the brain and a voxel in a cortical region of the brain, based on the fMRI data. The method also includes identifying a target location in the brain to be targeted by neuromodulation based on the calculated functional connectivity.

Abstract: A method of performing personalized neuromodulation on a subject is provided. The method includes acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of a brain of the subject. The method also includes calculating functional connectivity of the brain between a voxel in a subcortical region of the brain and a voxel in a cortical region of the brain, based on the fMRI data. The method also includes identifying a target location in the brain to be targeted by neuromodulation based on the calculated functional connectivity.

Abstract: A method of performing personalized neuromodulation on a subject is provided. The method includes acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of a brain of the subject. The method also includes calculating functional connectivity of the brain between a voxel in a subcortical region of the brain and a voxel in a cortical region of the brain, based on the fMRI data. The method also includes identifying a target location in the brain to be targeted by neuromodulation based on the calculated functional connectivity.

Abstract: A method of performing personalized neuromodulation on a subject is provided. The method includes acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of a brain of the subject. The method also includes calculating functional connectivity of the brain between a voxel in a subcortical region of the brain and a voxel in a cortical region of the brain, based on the fMRI data. The method also includes identifying a target location in the brain to be targeted by neuromodulation based on the calculated functional connectivity.

Abstract: A method of using an upright vacuum cleaner includes positioning a floor nozzle on a surface to be cleaned, measuring a first characteristic of a brushroll motor with a first sensor, and communicating the first characteristic with a controller. The method also includes comparing the first characteristic with a first threshold value stored by the controller, which is associated with determining if the floor nozzle is on a first cleaning surface or a second cleaning surface. The method further includes changing a suction motor between a first mode when feedback received by the first sensor is greater than the first threshold value, and a second mode when feedback received by the first sensor is less than the first threshold value. The method also includes operating the suction motor at a first speed while in the first mode, and at a second speed while in the second mode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base having a floor nozzle that defines a suction chamber, a brushroll driven by a brushroll motor, and a brushroll motor sensor configured to measure an electrical current used by the brushroll motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes a pressure sensor configured to measure an internal pressure within the vacuum cleaner, and a controller in communication with the brushroll motor sensor and the pressure sensor. The controller is operable to control an operating speed of the brushroll motor based on feedback received from the pressure sensor and the brushroll motor sensor.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a surface is provided including a base for movement along a surface, a suction nozzle associated with the base, and a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The cleaning device further includes a brush assembly operatively connected to the base, wherein the brush assembly has at least one brush, which includes a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from the brush and contacting the surface. The pliable elements slope downwardly and outwardly with the first set of pliable elements having at least a first group of pliable elements and a second group of pliable elements, wherein each of the pliable elements of the second group of the first set extend downwardly from the brush at a length less than the first group of the first set and the second group of pliable elements of the first set being positioned inwardly from the first group of the pliable elements of the first set.

Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning machine includes a base assembly that moves along the surface and a liquid distribution system associated with the base assembly for distributing the cleaning solution to the cleaning surface. A suction nozzle assembly is mounted to the base assembly and includes a front nozzle portion and a rear nozzle portion. The front nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the rear nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle assembly. The fluid flow path of the front nozzle portion is closed in response to the base assembly moving in one of the forward direction and rear direction.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a suction nozzle height adjustment arrangement controlled by a rotary mode control member located on the upper housing. The rotary mode control member controls a suction nozzle height adjustment motor and a rotary agitator drive disconnect arrangement. A wheel tensioner located on an idler arm is operatively connected to a cam on the suction nozzle height adjustment motor which tensions and de-tensions the agitator drive belt to control the rotary agitator. The rotary mode control member could have discrete settings for the various floor surfaces to be cleaned including bare floors and carpet of varying pile heights. Alternately, the rotary mode control member could be variable so that an infinite number of suction nozzle height settings can be selected.

Abstract: A self propelled upright vacuum cleaner is provided with a Hall effect sensor to provide a Hall voltage that varies according to the position of a handgrip maintained by the vacuum cleaner. A microprocessor generates a PWM control signal to control the movement of the vacuum based on the magnitude of the Hall voltage with respect to various response characteristics, including a non-linear logistic function. As such, the vacuum cleaner imparts a user-friendly responsiveness to the user during the operation of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a microprocessor based control arrangement. The microprocessor adjust the height of the suction nozzle through a motorized suction nozzle height gear and cam arrangement. The microprocessor is programmed to adjust the current to the motor-fan assembly and the agitator drive motor based upon the height of the suction nozzle such that the total current consumed does not exceed a predetermined amount. The microprocessor is programmed to turn the current off to either of the motor-fan assembly or the agitator drive motor when the current consumed by either exceeds a predetermined amount based upon the nozzle height. The height of the suction nozzle is selected by one or more switches located on the appliance handle. A separate switch is provided to select bare floor mode and the microprocessor is programmed to store the height of the suction nozzle prior to bare floor mode being selected.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance includes a port for the connection of an accessory hose and wand for off the floor cleaning. A variety of cleaning implements can be attached to the wand for cleaning hard to reach bare surfaces such as tile and grout. The port includes a suction inlet, cleaning solution outlet, and an air turbine inlet for an air turbine pump which pressurizes the cleaning solution. A pivoting door seals the suction inlet, cleaning solution outlet, and air turbine inlet when the accessory hose and wand are not in use.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided for cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, marble, linoleum and wood. The floor care appliance is comprised of a base portion having a suction nozzle and a brush block having a plurality of vertical axis rotary agitators for cleaning bare floors. The rotary agitators are driven by an independent motor for agitating the floor surface. With the addition of an accessory hose and tools, the cleaning utility can be expanded to areas wherein the suction nozzle cannot normally reach such as behind the toilet, shower walls, and the grout between tile. While used in the capacity for cleaning bare floors, the floor care appliance can be moved between three modes by a rotating a member located on the upper housing. The first mode is dry mode, the second mode is wet scrub mode and the third mode is wet pickup mode. The accessory tools are stored in an accessory caddy that is placed freestanding over the suction nozzle and in front of the housing.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the cleaning surface. A solution distribution system is mounted at least in part to the housing and includes a solution distributor operatively connected to the housing for distributing a solution onto the cleaning surface, a first solution tank for holding the solution, and a first adjustable flow rate valve fluidly connected between the first solution tank and the distributor for adjusting the flow rate of the solution out of the valve.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a microprocessor based control arrangement having a communications port for connection to a computer. Once connected to a computer, software updates for the microprocessor may be downloaded or diagnostic information stored in the microprocessor's memory may be uploaded for diagnostic purposes. In one embodiment of the invention, the communication port is configured to be connected to a local computer for possible further connection to a remote computer over a computer or telephone network. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the communication port is configured to connect to and dial up a remote computer over a telephone network.

Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning machine includes a base assembly that moves along the surface and a liquid distribution system associated with the base assembly for distributing the cleaning solution to the cleaning surface. A suction nozzle assembly is mounted to the base assembly and includes a front nozzle portion and a rear nozzle portion. The front nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the rear nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle assembly. The fluid flow path of the front nozzle portion is closed in response to the base assembly moving in one of the forward direction and rear direction.

Abstract: A self propelled upright vacuum cleaner is provided with a hall effect sensor to provide a varying voltage according to the position of the cleaner handle. The varying voltage is input to a microprocessor which controls the speed and direction of the propulsion motor. The microprocessor is programmed with one or more desirable response characteristics for the propulsion motor based upon the input from the hall effect sensor. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, two hall effect sensors are utilized to provide a pair of voltages to a microprocessor to control the speed and direction of the motor. In another alternate embodiment, a wheel sensor is used to detect the movement of the suction nozzle and provide an output to the microprocessor to control the speed and direction of the propulsion drive motor.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a surface is provided including a base for movement along a surface, a suction nozzle associated with the base, and a suction source for drawing liquid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The cleaning device further includes a brush assembly operatively connected to the base, wherein the brush assembly has at least one brush, which includes a first set of pliable elements extending downwardly from the brush and contacting the surface. The pliable elements slope downwardly and outwardly with the first set of pliable elements having at least a first group of pliable elements and a second group of pliable elements, wherein each of the pliable elements of the second group of the first set extend downwardly from the brush at a length less than the first group of the first set and the second group of pliable elements of the first set being positioned inwardly from the first group of the pliable elements of the first set.

Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning a surface comprises a floor-engaging portion for moving along the surface. A magnet and a hall effect sensor located in the cleaner handle generates a control signal. The control signal is provided to a control circuit which controls one or more operational features of the cleaner. One such operational features includes at least one pump for mixing and distributing cleaning solution to the surface. In an alternate embodiment, the control circuit controls an electric motor for propelling the cleaner over the surface.