Abstract: An electroosmotic actuator configured to generate a haptic response is described. The electroosmotic actuator includes a flexible structure with a non-zero thickness less than 2 millimeters (mm) configured to be worn on a portion of a user's body. The flexible structure includes a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of electrodes, a fluid-filled reservoir, individually-controlled pouches in fluid communication with the fluid-filled reservoir, a respective individually-controlled pouch associated with two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. Furthermore, fluid from the fluid-filled reservoir moves into the respective individually-controlled pouch of the individually-controlled pouches when a non-zero voltage (V) less than 700 V is provided to the two electrodes by a power source coupled to the flexible printed circuit board, thereby causing haptic feedback to be provided to the portion of the user's body on which the flexible structure is worn.

Abstract: A wearable device of the subject technology includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC) including an elastomer material, and one or more dopants included in the elastomer material to be activated in response to being irradiated by light to cause formation of a first metallic seed on an exterior surface of the elastomer material. The first metallic seed layer is configured to be electroless plated to connect one or more electrical circuits to form one or more electrical circuits or antennas.

Abstract: An electroosmotic actuator configured to generate a haptic response is described. The electroosmotic actuator includes a flexible structure with a non-zero thickness less than 2 millimeters (mm) configured to be worn on a portion of a user's body. The flexible structure includes a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of electrodes, a fluid-filled reservoir, individually-controlled pouches in fluid communication with the fluid-filled reservoir, a respective individually-controlled pouch associated with two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. Furthermore, fluid from the fluid-filled reservoir moves into the respective individually-controlled pouch of the individually-controlled pouches when a non-zero voltage (V) less than 700 V is provided to the two electrodes by a power source coupled to the flexible printed circuit board, thereby causing haptic feedback to be provided to the portion of the user's body on which the flexible structure is worn.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a crosslinked polymer electrode is provided. The method includes meltmixing (i) methylvinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) having a vinyl content of between 0.05 percent and 5 percent and (ii) urethane acrylate at a temperature of between 125° C. and 225° C., which forms a solution. Moreover, the MVG to urethane acrylate wt/wt ratio is between 1:10 and 1000:1 at initiation of the meltmixing. The method includes adding a peroxide, at between 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % to the solution, while mixing the solution, which forms the crosslinked polymer electrode in which the MVQ is cross-linked with urethane acrylate. Moreover, the crosslinked polymer electrode has a Young's modulus of between 0.5 MPa and 24 GPa.

Abstract: Provided herein are data structures, processes and systems to facilitate scheduling of complex work orders to a mobile workforce. Complex work orders are comprised of several distinct sub-orders that require coordinated scheduling because the start of one sub-order is dependent on the start or completion of another. The data structure provided herein identifies a set of member sub-orders required for completing complex work orders and relates those sub-orders to one another by precedence criteria that establish which sub-orders are dependent on which other sub-orders. This data structure is used in computer processes integrated with workforce management systems to permit such systems to schedule and/or assign individual work orders in a coordinated manner to satisfy the precedence criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an enhanced scheduling process are discussed. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for scheduling mobile service representatives. The method includes negotiating an appointment window for booking a reservation, assigning the reservation to a shift of a mobile service representative, and optimizing periodically the shift of the mobile service representative while the acts of negotiating and assigning are executing.

Abstract: A system and method schedules splittable work orders to provide customers with requested service and efficiently utilize service resources. The method includes forming a list of appointment windows for days on which service may be performed. A request for service from a customer is identified as being a splittable work order. The splittable work order is assigned a job duration required to complete the order and a split time less than the job duration. An appointment window on a first day during which a portion of the service may be scheduled is determined. The appointment window is for the split time in duration. At least one appointment window on a subsequent day or days during which the remainder of the service may be scheduled is then determined. The splittable work order is scheduled by assigning the work order to the determined appointment windows on the determined first and subsequent days.

Abstract: Methods for providing an enhanced scheduling process are discussed. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for assigning an order to an opening in a schedule after a customer has selected an appointment window in the schedule. The opening and the appointment window are specified. The method includes generating a list of schedulable time blocks for a shift identified in the opening, intersecting the opening and the appointment window to obtain a time range, and choosing the opening in which to assign the order if a schedulable time block from the list of schedulable time blocks includes the opening. The opening is within the time range obtained by the act of intersecting.

Abstract: Provided herein are data structures, processes and systems to facilitate scheduling of complex work orders to a mobile workforce. Complex work orders are comprised of several distinct sub-orders that require coordinated scheduling because the start of one sub-order is dependent on the start or completion of another. The data structure provided herein identifies a set of member sub-orders required for completing complex work orders and relates those sub-orders to one another by precedence criteria that establish which sub-orders are dependent on which other sub-orders. This data structure is used in computer processes integrated with workforce management systems to permit such systems to schedule and/or assign individual work orders in a coordinated manner to satisfy the precedence criteria.

Abstract: Provided herein are data structures, processes and systems to facilitate scheduling of complex work orders to a mobile workforce. Complex work orders are comprised of several distinct sub-orders that require coordinated scheduling because the start of one sub-order is dependent on the start or completion of another. The data structure provided herein identifies a set of member sub-orders required for completing complex work orders and relates those sub-orders to one another by precedence criteria that establish which sub-orders are dependent on which other sub-orders. This data structure is used in computer processes integrated with workforce management systems to permit such systems to schedule and/or assign individual work orders in a coordinated manner to satisfy the precedence criteria.

Abstract: Device and method for an antireflective coating to improve image quality in an image display system. A preferred embodiment comprises a first high refractive index layer overlying a reflective surface of an integrated circuit, a first low refractive index layer overlying the first high refractive index layer, a second high refractive index layer overlying the first low refractive index layer, and a second low refractive index layer overlying the second high refractive index layer. The alternating layers of high refractive index material and low refractive index material form an optical trap, allowing light to readily pass through in one direction, but not so easily in a reverse direction. The dual alternating layer topology improves the antireflective properties of the antireflective layer and permits a wide range of adjustments for manipulating reflectivity and color point.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a first layer of dielectric material disposed upon an upper surface of a substrate of a semiconductor device and a first non-conductive layer of metal disposed upon an upper surface of the dielectric material. The first layer of dielectric material and the first non-conductive layer of metal act as an optical trap for electromagnetic radiation received by the first non-conductive layer of metal. In particular embodiments, the semiconductor device may further comprise a second layer of dielectric material disposed upon an upper surface of the first non-conductive layer of metal and a second non-conductive layer of metal disposed upon an upper surface of the second layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micromechanical device. Several of the micromechanical devices are fabricated 20 on a common wafer. After the devices are fabricated, the sacrificial layers are removed 22 leaving open spaces where the sacrificial layers once were. These open spaces allow for movement of the components of the micromechanical device. The devices optionally are passivated 24, which may include the application of a lubricant. After the devices have been passivated, they are tested 26 in wafer form. After testing 26, any surface treatments that are not compatible with the remainder of the processing steps are removed 28. The substrate wafer containing the completed devices receives a conformal overcoat 30. The overcoat layer is thick enough to project the micromechanical structures, but thin and light enough to prevent deforming the underlying micromechanical structures.

Abstract: Phosphonate surfactants are employed to passivate the surfaces of MEMS devices, such as digital micromirror devices. The surfactants are adsorbed from vapor or solution to form self-assembled monolayers at the device surface. The higher binding energy of the phosphonate end groups (as compared to carboxylate surfactants) improves the thermal stability of the resulting layer.

Abstract: Organic surfactants are employed to passivate the surfaces of MEMS devices, such as digital micromirrors. The binding of these surfactants to the surface is improved by first associating with the surface transition metal atoms or ions from Groups IVB, VB, and IVB of the periodic table.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micromechanical device. Several of the micromechanical devices are fabricated 20 on a common wafer. After the devices are fabricated, the sacrificial layers are removed 22 leaving open spaces where the sacrificial layers once were. These open spaces allow for movement of the components of the micromechanical device. The devices optionally are passivated 24, which may include the application of a lubricant. After the devices have been passivated, they are tested 26 in wafer form. After testing 26, any surface treatments that are not compatible with the remainder of the processing steps are removed 28. The substrate wafer containing the completed devices receives a conformal overcoat 30. The overcoat layer is thick enough to project the micromechanical structures, but thin and light enough to prevent deforming the underlying micromechanical structures.

Abstract: A configurable scheduling method and apparatus for scheduling orders and worker according to a constraint set including a programmable constraint set and a fixed constraint set. The programmable constraint set programmed by a service organization to alter the schedule process from a normal process governed by the fixed constraint set to a reconfigured process also governed by the programmable constraint set.

Abstract: Provided herein are data structures, processes and systems to facilitate scheduling of complex work orders to a mobile workforce. Complex work orders are comprised of several distinct sub-orders that require coordinated scheduling because the start of one sub-order is dependent on the start or completion of another. The data structure provided herein identifies a set of member sub-orders required for completing complex work orders and relates those sub-orders to one another by precedence criteria that establish which sub-orders are dependent on which other sub-orders. This data structure is used in computer processes integrated with workforce management systems to permit such systems to schedule and/or assign individual work orders in a coordinated manner to satisfy the precedence criteria.

Abstract: A system and method schedules splittable work orders to provide customers with requested service and efficiently utilize service resources. The method includes forming a list of appointment windows for days on which service may be performed. A request for service from a customer is identified as being a splittable work order. The splittable work order is assigned a job duration required to complete the order and a split time less than the job duration. An appointment window on a first day during which a portion of the service may be scheduled is determined. The appointment window is for the split time in duration. At least one appointment window on a subsequent day or days during which the remainder of the service may be scheduled is then determined. The splittable work order is scheduled by assigning the work order to the determined appointment windows on the determined first and subsequent days.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention includes a method for finding an opening in which to fit an order in a schedule. The method includes computing an amount of time required in a shift to fit the order, and creating a schedulable time block from a virtual free time block. The schedulable time block includes a primary block. The method further includes examining the primary block. The primary block is a candidate for fitting the order if the duration of the primary block, excluding at least one break, is greater than or equal to the amount of free time required in the shift to fit the order. The method further includes creating at least one opening in the shift from the schedulable time block so as to present to a customer at least one option of fitting the order in the schedule to perform a desired service.