Abstract: A Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) die includes a substrate; a back plate mounted to the substrate and partially covering an aperture through the substrate; a diaphragm between the back plate and the substrate, the diaphragm comprising a central portion covering the aperture and an outer peripheral portion coupled to the substrate; a plurality of springs connecting the central portion of the diaphragm to the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm, each spring located outwardly of the aperture; and a plurality of deflection limiters protruding from the back plate. The plurality of deflection limiters is located and configured to at least momentarily contact the diaphragm proximate the plurality of springs during operation of the MEMS die.

Abstract: A product offered by the advertisement is displayed to the consumer in a multi-retailer cart which allows the consumer to select the product from among a plurality of retailers identified in the multi-retailer cart that offer the same or similar products and the mobile. The plurality of retailers to be displayed in the multi-retailer cart is determined by application of any of several factors that include the current location of the consumer, where those retailers that are most proximate to the consumer are displayed; incentives that are uniquely available based on consumer location; profile information associated with the consumer, such as retail preferences, affinity memberships; retailer factors, such as the availability of discounts, coupons, availability of the product in inventory, etc. The retailers may be ranked in the cart based on any one or more of these factors, and/or based upon payment of a promotion fee.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor assembly comprises a substrate, a bump stopper extending from the substrate, and a sensor suspended relative to the substrate. The sensor is configured to move relative to the substrate, wherein the bump stopper is configured to restrain the sensor travel distance and prevent contact between the sensor and the substrate. The bump stopper has a surface facing the sensor, wherein an area of contact between the sensor and the surface is less than the total area of the surface.

Abstract: An intraoral scanning device configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object. The intraoral scanning device includes: a projector unit configured to emit light at least onto the dental object of a patient. The projector unit includes a light source; an image sensor configured to acquire reflected light from the dental object; a processing unit configured to process the acquired reflected light into 2D intraoral scan data and/or 3D intraoral scan data, a battery unit configured to supply a DC voltage, a supply assembly unit configured to receive the DC voltage and provide a supply voltage to the light source. The supply assembly unit includes: a voltage up-converter configured to convert the DC voltage to a supply voltage, a voltage down-converter configured to convert the DC voltage to a supply voltage, and a voltage controller unit configured to control the voltage up-converter and the voltage down-converter.

Abstract: Various implementations of MEMS sensors include an IC die having a cavity that forms at least part of the back volume of the sensor. This arrangement helps to address the problems of lateral velocity gradients and viscosity-induced losses. In some of the embodiments, the cavity is specially configured (e.g., with pillars, channels, and/or rings) to reduce the lateral movement of air. Other solutions (used in conjunction with such cavities) include ways to make a diaphragm move more like a piston (e.g., by adding a protrusion that gives it more “up-down” motion and less lateral motion) or to use a piston (e.g., a rigid piece of silicon such as an integrated circuit die) in place of a diaphragm.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a piston; an electrode facing the piston, wherein a capacitance between the piston and the electrode changes as the distance between the piston and the electrode changes; and a resilient structure (e.g., a gasket or a pleated wall) disposed between the piston and the electrode, wherein the resilient structure supports the piston and resists the movement of the piston with respect to the electrode. A back volume is bounded by the piston and the resilient structure and the resilient structure blocks air from leaving the back volume. The piston may be a rigid body made of a conductive material, such as metal or a doped semiconductor. The MEMS die may also include a second resilient structure, which provides further support to the piston and is disposed within the back volume.

Abstract: An intraoral scanner includes a projector unit configured to emit light at least onto a dental object of a patient; an image sensor configured to acquire reflected light from at least the dental object; a battery for powering the intraoral scanner; a processor unit configured to process the reflected light into one or more 2D images and/or 3D images; a wireless interface configured to communicate with an external device the one or more 2D images and/or 3D images, a motion sensor configured to sense a motion of the intraoral scanner; a timer unit; and a power management unit configured to reduce the power consumption of the intraoral scanner based on a motion signal provided by the motion sensor and a timer signal provided by the timer unit.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, when a shopper (or user) is presented with a digital advertisement, the shopper can choose to save the contents of the ad displayed directly to a specific retailer's digital cart and/or checkout process to recall those contents at a later time and make a purchase of the contents saved in the retailer's checkout process. Once a shopper interacts with the digital advertisement, the contents are saved directly to the retailer, without forcing the consumer out of the current experience, while updating the content of the ad once the product or content have been successfully saved to the retailer's cart. The updated contents of the ad can include additional opportunities for promotion content. The shopper is then able to visit the retailer's cart either online or in-store to complete the purchase of the advertised product or products.

Abstract: A filter device and methods of use thereof are provided. The filter device may include a pitcher for removably engaging with a base in fluid communication with a fluid source. The pitcher may include a magnetic float assembly, and the base may include a sensor, e.g., a Reed switch, for detecting when a magnetic float of the magnetic float assembly is within a detectable range of the sensor. Upon detection of the magnetic float within the detectable range by the sensor, a controller of the filter device may instruct a pump to pump fluid from the fluid source, through a filtration system of the filter device, and into the pitcher. When the pitcher is full of fluid, the magnetic float will be out of the detectable range of the sensor, such that fluid will stop being transferred from the fluid source to the pitcher.

Abstract: A filter device and methods of use thereof are provided. The filter device may include a pitcher for removably engaging with a base in fluid communication with a fluid source. The pitcher may include a magnetic float assembly, and the base may include a sensor, e.g., a Reed switch, for detecting when a magnetic float of the magnetic float assembly is within a detectable range of the sensor. Upon detection of the magnetic float within the detectable range by the sensor, a controller of the filter device may instruct a pump to pump fluid from the fluid source, through a filtration system of the filter device, and into the pitcher. When the pitcher is full of fluid, the magnetic float will be out of the detectable range of the sensor, such that fluid will stop being transferred from the fluid source to the pitcher.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device comprises a MEMS die that comprises first and second diaphragms, a first plurality of electrodes each disposed on the first diaphragm, and a second plurality of electrodes each disposed on the second diaphragm. A fixed dielectric element is disposed between the first and second diaphragms and includes a plurality of apertures. The MEMS die further comprises a third plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the third plurality comprises a first conductive layer disposed on the first diaphragm proximate to at least one of the first plurality and a second conductive layer disposed on the second diaphragm proximate to at least one of the second plurality, and a conductive pin that extends through an aperture of the plurality of apertures and electrically connects the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Various implementations of MEMS sensors include an IC die having a cavity that forms at least part of the back volume of the sensor. This arrangement helps to address the problems of lateral velocity gradients and viscosity-induced losses. In some of the embodiments, the cavity is specially configured (e.g., with pillars, channels, and/or rings) to reduce the lateral movement of air. Other solutions (used in conjunction with such cavities) include ways to make a diaphragm move more like a piston (e.g., by adding a protrusion that gives it more “up-down” motion and less lateral motion) or to use a piston (e.g.

Abstract: A MEMS die comprises a substrate having an opening, a diaphragm attached to the substrate around a periphery of the opening so as to cover the opening, the diaphragm having an aperture, and a backplate separated from the diaphragm and disposed on a side of the diaphragm opposite the substrate, the backplate comprising a plug that extends toward the aperture from an attached end to a free end. In an embodiment the free end of the plug has a smaller area than the aperture, and the plug is separated from the diaphragm by a gap, wherein a size of the gap determines a level of fluid communication across the diaphragm through the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compressor system (1) comprising: a high-pressure diaphragm gas compressor (2) having a compressor inlet (3) and a compressor outlet (4). Wherein an inlet volume (5) is defined between a compressor inlet valve (6) and said compressor inlet, said compressor outlet is fluidly connected to a receiving vessel (7). A motor (8) configured to drive a crankshaft of said compressor. A controller (9) configured to control operation of said compressor, said compressor inlet valve and said motor, during a plurality of successive operation cycles. Wherein during a shut-down part of an operation cycle, said compressor inlet valve is configured for being closed before said crankshaft stop rotation, and wherein during a start-up part of a subsequent operation cycle, said compressor inlet valve is configured for being opened after at least one completed compression stroke.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a piston; an electrode facing the piston, wherein a capacitance between the piston and the electrode changes as the distance between the piston and the electrode changes; and a resilient structure (e.g., a gasket or a pleated wall) disposed between the piston and the electrode, wherein the resilient structure supports the piston and resists the movement of the piston with respect to the electrode. A back volume is bounded by the piston and the resilient structure and the resilient structure blocks air from leaving the back volume. The piston may be a rigid body made of a conductive material, such as metal or a doped semiconductor. The MEMS die may also include a second resilient structure, which provides further support to the piston and is disposed within the back volume.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die comprises a first diaphragm having a first side and a second side, and a second diaphragm having a first side facing the first side of the first diaphragm. A first plurality of interconnect strips is disposed along at least the first side of the first diaphragm, a second plurality of interconnect strips is disposed along the first side of the first diaphragm, and a third plurality of interconnect strips is disposed along the first side of the second diaphragm. First, second, and third runner strips are disposed along the second side of the first diaphragm transverse to the first, second, and third plurality of interconnect strips, respectively. Each of the first, second, and third runner strips is electrically connected to at least a subset of the first, second, and third plurality of interconnect strips, respectively, via electrical connections disposed through the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A filter device and methods of use thereof are provided. The filter device may include a pitcher for removably engaging with a base in fluid communication with a fluid source. The pitcher may include a magnetic float assembly, and the base may include a sensor, e.g., a Reed switch, for detecting when a magnetic float of the magnetic float assembly is within a detectable range of the sensor. Upon detection of the magnetic float within the detectable range by the sensor, a controller of the filter device may instruct a pump to pump fluid from the fluid source, through a filtration system of the filter device, and into the pitcher. When the pitcher is full of fluid, the magnetic float will be out of the detectable range of the sensor, such that fluid will stop being transferred from the fluid source to the pitcher.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor assembly comprises a substrate, a bump stopper extending from the substrate, and a sensor suspended relative to the substrate. The sensor is configured to move relative to the substrate, wherein the bump stopper is configured to restrain the sensor travel distance and prevent contact between the sensor and the substrate. The bump stopper has a surface facing the sensor, wherein an area of contact between the sensor and the surface is less than the total area of the surface.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a piston; an electrode facing the piston, wherein a capacitance between the piston and the electrode changes as the distance between the piston and the electrode changes; and a resilient structure (e.g., a gasket or a pleated wall) disposed between the piston and the electrode, wherein the resilient structure supports the piston and resists the movement of the piston with respect to the electrode. A back volume is bounded by the piston and the resilient structure and the resilient structure blocks air from leaving the back volume. The piston may be a rigid body made of a conductive material, such as metal or a doped semiconductor. The MEMS die may also include a second resilient structure, which provides further support to the piston and is disposed within the back volume.