Methods of Forming Three-Dimensional Structures Having Reduced Stress and/or Curvature

Electrochemical fabrication processes and apparatus for producing single layer or multi-layer structures where each layer includes the deposition of at least two materials and wherein the formation of at least some layers includes operations for reducing stress and/or curvature distortion when the structure is released from a sacrificial material which surrounded it during formation and possibly when released from a substrate on which it was formed. Six primary groups of embodiments are presented which are divide into eleven primary embodiments. Some embodiments attempt to remove stress to minimize distortion while others attempt to balance stress to minimize distortion. 1. In a method of forming a multi-layer three-dimensional structure , including: (A) forming a plurality of successive layers of the structure with each successive layer , except for a first layer , adhered to a previously formed layer and with each successive layer comprising at least two materials , one of which is a structural material and the other of which is a sacrificial material , and wherein each successive layer defines a successive cross-section of the three-dimensional structure , and wherein the forming of each of the plurality of successive layers includes: (i) depositing a first of the at least two materials; (ii) depositing a second of the at least two materials; and (B) after the forming of the plurality of successive layers , separating at least a portion of the sacrificial material from the structural material to reveal the three-dimensional structure , wherein the improvement comprises:{'b': 4', '5', '5', '4, 'in association with the formation of at least one of the successive layers, dividing the layer into a first thin sublayer and a second thicker sublayer and depositing a primary structural material in a lateral region of the first sublayer to form at least a portion of the sublayer, and thereafter planarizing the primary structural material to a height that bounds the first ...

SIGNAL DEGRADATION DETECTION

Implementations are directed to predicting signal degradation at receivers used to display a programming service. The receivers capture signal strength data that is then transmitted to a processing location, which may be associated with a provider of the programming service. A signal degradation detector at the provider operates to predict whether or not a future unacceptable signal quality will occur within a time interval. The prediction may be based on a test quantity calculated from signals captured at the receiver and based on a figure of merit for the geographic locale in which the receiver is located. A maintenance call may be initiated for those receivers that have such a poor signal quality. 1. A method to predict a maintenance condition of a receiver , comprising:determining a time series of test quantities for the receiver, the test quantities based on signal strength measurements collected at the receiver at a plurality of time instances;receiving a figure of merit for the receiver, the figure of merit indicating an expected signal quality for the receiver;eliminating the receiver as a candidate for failure prediction if the time series of test quantities is equal or greater than the figure of merit for a predetermined period of time;determining a failure prediction for the receiver based on the time series of test quantities and the figure of merit, the act of determining the failure prediction only performed if the receiver is not eliminated as a candidate for failure prediction; andidentifying the receiver if the failure prediction indicates a future unacceptable signal strength for the receiver.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:eliminating the receiver as a candidate for failure prediction if the time series of test quantities trends level or trends upward for a predetermined number of time instances.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:applying recursive linear regression to the time series of test quantities and the figure of ...

SCREEN PROTECTOR WITH LIP FOR MOBILE DEVICE CASE

A screen protector for a mobile device case in which the mobile device case is sized to receive a mobile device having a screen. The screen protector has a perimeter portion and a lip disposed on at least a portion of the perimeter portion. 1. A screen protector for a mobile device case , the mobile device case sized to receive a mobile device having a screen , the screen protector comprising:a perimeter portion; anda lip disposed on at least a portion of the perimeter portion.2. The screen protector of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the screen protector is substantially planar.3. The screen protector of claim 2 , wherein the lip and the screen protector cooperate to define a cavity sized to at least partially surround a portion of the mobile device when the mobile device is inserted within the mobile device case.4. The screen protector of claim 3 , wherein the lip extends away from the screen protector in a direction orthogonal to the screen protector.5. The screen protector of claim 3 , wherein the screen protector includes a ridge claim 3 , and wherein the ridge is disposed around the portion of perimeter portion of the screen protector on around which the lip is disposed claim 3 , and wherein the ridge extends a distance away from the screen protector in the opposite direction from which the lip extends.6. The screen protector of claim 5 , wherein the ridge is sized to contour a portion of the mobile device when disposed within the mobile device case.7. The screen protector of claim 1 , wherein the screen protector is substantially rigid.8. The screen protector of claim 1 , wherein the screen protector is composed of polycarbonate.9. The screen protector of claim 1 , wherein the screen protector defines electrical properties that facilitate the actuation of controls on the screen of the mobile device when the screen protector is positioned over the screen.10. The screen protector of claim 1 , wherein the screen protector is substantially transparent.11. A screen ...

MOBILE DEVICE CASE WITH A SCREEN PROTECTOR

A mobile device case including a housing sized to retain a mobile device. A screen protector removeably engageable with a portion of the housing is included, the screen protector including an engagement element at least partially concealable insertable within a portion of the housing. 1. A mobile device case for retaining a mobile device , the mobile device case comprising:a housing defining an interior dimensioned to releasably retain the mobile device;an at least substantially planar screen protector removeably engageable with a portion of the housing, the at least substantially planar screen protector including an engagement element at least partially concealably insertable within a portion of the housing.2. The mobile device case of claim 1 , wherein the housing is comprised of a silicone gel.3. The mobile device case of claim 1 , wherein the at least substantially planar screen protector is comprised of polycarbonate.4. The mobile device case of claim 1 , wherein the engagement element is a lip claim 1 , and wherein the housing includes groove sized to receive at least a portion of the lip.5. The mobile device case of claim 1 , wherein the lip protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the at least substantially planar screen protector.6. The mobile device case of claim 5 , wherein the at least substantially planar screen protector includes a ridge protruding a predetermined distance away from the at least substantially planar screen protector claim 5 , and wherein the ridge is positioned proximal to the lip.7. The mobile device case of claim 6 , wherein the ridge extends in a direction substantially opposite of the direction the lip extends and is sized to contour a portion of the mobile device.8. The mobile device case of claim 1 , wherein the at least substantially planar screen protector includes at least one aperture.9. The mobile device case of claim 1 , further comprising a substantially rigid shell engageable with the housing.10. The mobile ...

VEHICLE STORAGE STRUCTURE

A housing structure has a top wall, a pair of tracks and a lid. The top wall has an opening above a storage compartment therein. The opening has a first edge portion. A section of each of the tracks extends along opposite sides of the opening. The lid includes an end portion and a flexible portion. The flexible portion has lateral edges that extend into respective ones of the pair of tracks for selective sliding movement along the pair of tracks between a fully closed position blocking access to the storage compartment, a fully open position exposing the storage compartment via the opening and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The end portion defines a concave leading end. With the lid in a first intermediate position, the concaved leading end and the first edge portion define a cup holder space. 1. A vehicle storage structure , comprising:a housing structure defining a storage compartment and having a top wall with an opening above the storage compartment, the top wall having a first edge portion that partially defines the opening;a pair of tracks located within the housing structure with at least a section of each of the pair of tracks extending along opposite sides of the opening within the housing structure; anda lid including an end portion and a flexible portion, the flexible portion having lateral edges that extend into respective ones of the pair of tracks for selective sliding movement along the pair of tracks between a fully closed position blocking access to the storage compartment via the opening, a fully open position exposing the storage compartment via the opening and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the end portion has a concave leading end such that with the lid in a first of the plurality of intermediate positions the concaved leading end and the first edge portion of the opening in the top wall define a cup holder ...

Signal degradation detection.

Las implementaciones se dirigen a predecir degradación de señales en receptores utilizados para desplegar un servicio de programación. Los receptores capturan datos de resistencia de señales que entonces se transmiten a una ubicación de procesamiento, los cuales pueden asociarse con un proveedor del servicio de programación. Un detector de degradación de señales en el proveedor opera para predecir si ocurrirá o no una calidad de señal inaceptable futura dentro de un intervalo de tiempo. La predicción puede basarse en una cantidad de prueba calculada a partir de señales capturadas en el receptor y basarse en un factor de calidad para la ubicación geográfica en la cual se ubica el receptor. Puede iniciarse un plan de mantenimiento para aquellos receptores que tienen una calidad de señal deficiente.

Method and system for providing maintenance to a receiver

Methods of forming three-dimensional structures having reduced stress and/or curvature

Electrochemical fabrication processes and apparatus for producing single layer or multi-layer structures where each layer includes the deposition of at least two materials and wherein the formation of at least some layers includes operations for reducing stress and/or curvature distortion when the structure is released from a sacrificial material which surrounded it during formation and possibly when released from a substrate on which it was formed. Six primary groups of embodiments are presented which are divide into eleven primary embodiments. Some embodiments attempt to remove stress to minimize distortion while others attempt to balance stress to minimize distortion.

Methods of Forming Three-Dimensional Structures Having Reduced Stress and/or Curvature

Electrochemical fabrication processes and apparatus for producing single layer or multi-layer structures where each layer includes the deposition of at least two materials and wherein the formation of at least some layers includes operations for reducing stress and/or curvature distortion when the structure is released from a sacrificial material which surrounded it during formation and possibly when released from a substrate on which it was formed. Six primary groups of embodiments are presented which are divide into eleven primary embodiments. Some embodiments attempt to remove stress to minimize distortion while others attempt to balance stress to minimize distortion.