Abstract: In one example, a system comprises an array comprising selected memory cells; an input block configured to apply, to each selected memory cell, a series of input signals to a terminal of the selected memory cell in response to a series of input bits; and an output block for generating an output of the selected memory cells, the output block comprising an analog-to-digital converter to convert current from the selected memory cells into a digital value, a shifter, an adder, and a register; wherein the shifter, adder, and register are configured to receive a series of digital values in response to the series of input bits, shift each digital value in the series of digital values based on a bit location of an input bit within the series of input bits, and add results of the shift operations to generate an output indicating values stored in the selected memory cells.

Abstract: A printed coil assembly including a flexible dielectric material, a patterned top conductive layer formed on a top surface of the flexible dielectric material, and a patterned bottom conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the flexible dielectric material. The patterned top conductive layer and the patterned bottom conductive layer form a plurality of printed coils arranged in a plurality of printed coil rollers concentrically arranged in a cylindrical shape. Each of the plurality of printed coils includes a top layer printed coil disposed within the patterned top conductive layer and a bottom layer printed coil disposed within the patterned bottom conductive layer. Coil pitches of the coils within each roller are chosen such that corresponding ones of the plurality of printed coils in adjacent rollers are axially aligned relative to a center of the cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A printed coil assembly including a flexible dielectric material, a patterned top conductive layer formed on a top surface of the flexible dielectric material, and a patterned bottom conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the flexible dielectric material. The patterned top conductive layer and the patterned bottom conductive layer form a plurality of printed coils arranged in a plurality of printed coil rollers concentrically arranged in a cylindrical shape. Each of the plurality of printed coils includes a top layer printed coil disposed within the patterned top conductive layer and a bottom layer printed coil disposed within the patterned bottom conductive layer. Coil pitches of the coils within each roller are chosen such that corresponding ones of the plurality of printed coils in adjacent rollers are axially aligned relative to a center of the cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A printed coil assembly including a flexible dielectric material, a patterned top conductive layer formed on a top surface of the flexible dielectric material, and a patterned bottom conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the flexible dielectric material. The patterned top conductive layer and the patterned bottom conductive layer form a plurality of printed coils arranged in a plurality of printed coil rollers concentrically arranged in a cylindrical shape. Each of the plurality of printed coils includes a top layer printed coil disposed within the patterned top conductive layer and a bottom layer printed coil disposed within the patterned bottom conductive layer. Coil pitches of the coils within each roller are chosen such that corresponding ones of the plurality of printed coils in adjacent rollers are axially aligned relative to a center of the cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A stacked actuator system including a plurality of electromagnetic actuators operative to drive a piston shaft between extended and retracted positions. A plurality of electrical connectors and a plurality of signal lines are connected between the plurality of electromagnetic actuators and the plurality of electrical connectors. A system housing at least partially defines an interior volume containing the plurality of electromagnetic actuators. The system housing includes a plurality of apertures through which extends the piston shaft of each of the plurality of electromagnetic actuators. A controller is disposed within the interior volume and connected to the plurality of electrical connectors. The stacked actuator system may further include a base platform element upon which are mounted the plurality of electromagnetic actuators and the system housing. Each piston shaft may move between extended and retracted positions within a plane substantially parallel to the base platform element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for low cost linear actuators that can deliver strokes and forces at different values. The embodiments presented herein have parts and components that may be usable for both multi-coil and single-coil actuator designs. According to one embodiment, a magnet housing may removably or permanently coupled to a coil assembly having any number of coils. According to a further embodiment, an actuator housing may be coupled to a magnet housing having any number of magnets or coils.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring linear and angular displacement of a moving object, such as an autonomous moving object. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one optical mouse sensor mounted adjacent to and at a predetermined distance from a surface of the autonomous moving object or a working surface. A processor on the autonomous moving object is operatively coupled to the optical mouse sensor. The optical mouse sensor outputs linear and angular displacement values to the processor during movement of the autonomous moving object to determine a direction and distance traveled by the autonomous moving object.

Abstract: A magnetic compass comprising a magnetometer for taking readings of a magnetic field and a processing unit that calibrates the magnetic compass is provided. The processing unit is configured to validate a predetermined number of magnetic field samples and calculate calibration coefficients from the validated magnetic field samples. Each validated magnetic field sample is at least a minimum separation angle apart from every other validated magnetic field sample.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring linear and angular displacement of a moving object, such as an autonomous moving object. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one optical mouse sensor mounted adjacent to and at a predetermined distance from a surface of the autonomous moving object or a working surface. A processor on the autonomous moving object is operatively coupled to the optical mouse sensor. The optical mouse sensor outputs linear and angular displacement values to the processor during movement of the autonomous moving object to determine a direction and distance traveled by the autonomous moving object.

Abstract: A method of providing position estimation with a navigation device comprises periodically recording magnetic field strength of an area substantially surrounding a navigation device as a user of the navigation device traverses a select pathway. The method combines the recorded magnetic field strength with measurements from at least a dead reckoning portion of the navigation device to provide position estimates along the select pathway. The method further corrects each of the position estimates from a starting position on the select pathway, where each of the corrected position estimates have an error value below one or more previous position estimates and any intervening positions between each of the one or more previous position estimates and the starting position, with the error value corresponding to an error threshold based on the previous position estimates.

Abstract: A method of providing position estimation with a navigation device comprises periodically recording magnetic field strength of an area substantially surrounding a navigation device as a user of the navigation device traverses a select pathway. The method combines the recorded magnetic field strength with measurements from at least a dead reckoning portion of the navigation device to provide position estimates along the select pathway. The method further corrects each of the position estimates from a starting position on the select pathway, where each of the corrected position estimates have an error value below one or more previous position estimates and any intervening positions between each of the one or more previous position estimates and the starting position, with the error value corresponding to an error threshold based on the previous position estimates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for low cost linear actuators that can deliver strokes and forces at different values. The embodiments presented herein have parts and components that may be usable for both multi-coil and single-coil actuator designs. According to one embodiment, a magnet housing may removably or permanently coupled to a coil assembly having any number of coils. According to a further embodiment, an actuator housing may be coupled to a magnet housing having any number of magnets or coils.

Abstract: A magnetic compass comprising a magnetometer for taking readings of a magnetic field and a processing unit that calibrates the magnetic compass is provided. The processing unit is configured to validate a predetermined number of magnetic field samples and calculate calibration coefficients from the validated magnetic field samples. Each validated magnetic field sample is at least a minimum separation angle apart from every other validated magnetic field sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a directional movement of an object such as a wheeled vehicle. The system includes a magnet having a north pole and a south pole mounted to the object, a single magnetic sensor positioned such that the sensor can individually detect each magnetic pole as the object moves, the sensor configured to produce a first characteristic signal when a north pole is detected and a second characteristic signal when a south pole is detected, and a processing device in signal communication with the sensor, the processing device configured to determine a directional movement of the object based on a configuration of a signal doublet that includes the first and second characteristic signals. The methods include sensing the north and south poles as they pass the magnetic sensor and determining a direction based on an order in which the north and south poles are sensed.

Abstract: A method of providing position estimation with a navigation device comprises periodically recording magnetic field strength of an area substantially surrounding a navigation device as a user of the navigation device traverses a select pathway. The method combines the recorded magnetic field strength with measurements from at least a dead reckoning portion of the navigation device to provide position estimates along the select pathway. The method further corrects each of the position estimates from a starting position on the select pathway, where each of the corrected position estimates have an error value below one or more previous position estimates and any intervening positions between each of the one or more previous position estimates and the starting position, with the error value corresponding to an error threshold based on the previous position estimates.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring linear and angular displacement of a moving object, such as an autonomous moving object. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one optical mouse sensor mounted adjacent to and at a predetermined distance from a surface of the autonomous moving object or a working surface. A processor on the autonomous moving object is operatively coupled to the optical mouse sensor. The optical mouse sensor outputs linear and angular displacement values to the processor during movement of the autonomous moving object to determine a direction and distance traveled by the autonomous moving object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a directional movement of an object such as a wheeled vehicle. The system includes a magnet having a north pole and a south pole mounted to the object, a single magnetic sensor positioned such that the sensor can individually detect each magnetic pole as the object moves, the sensor configured to produce a first characteristic signal when a north pole is detected and a second characteristic signal when a south pole is detected, and a processing device in signal communication with the sensor, the processing device configured to determine a directional movement of the object based on a configuration of a signal doublet that includes the first and second characteristic signals. The methods include sensing the north and south poles as they pass the magnetic sensor and determining a direction based on an order in which the north and south poles are sensed.

Abstract: A method of providing position estimation with a navigation device comprises periodically recording magnetic field strength of an area substantially surrounding a navigation device as a user of the navigation device traverses a select pathway. The method combines the recorded magnetic field strength with measurements from at least a dead reckoning portion of the navigation device to provide position estimates along the select pathway. The method further corrects each of the position estimates from a starting position on the select pathway, where each of the corrected position estimates have an error value below one or more previous position estimates and any intervening positions between each of the one or more previous position estimates and the starting position, with the error value corresponding to an error threshold based on the previous position estimates.

Abstract: This invention describes a compact linear moving coil actuator that incorporates a piston bobbin coil assembly that provides a shaft with linear reciprocal movement. Optionally, a rotary motor can be coupled to the shaft to provide rotary reciprocal movement. The piston and bobbin sections of the piston bobbin coil assembly may be integrally formed as a single unitary piece and easily changed in size and/or configuration during manufacture to enable easier and more cost-effective assembly of various actuator sizes and configurations. Additionally, the compact size of the actuator requires less work space and also allows multiple actuators to be positioned next to each for various applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system, and method for providing a multi-mode navigation device. In a first mode of operation, the navigation device provides position information based on a radio frequency navigation signals. If radio signals become unavailable, the navigation device enters a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the navigation device stores the most recent elevation and associates it with a reference elevation, the reference elevation is associated with an entry floor. The difference between a current elevation and the reference elevation is determined and this difference is divided by a floor height to obtain a floor number. The navigation device provides the floor number while reliable global position information is unavailable.