Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090024346 | IMPORTATION OF VIRTUAL SIGNALS INTO ELECTRONIC TEST EQUIPMENT TO FACILITATE TESTING OF AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT - Electronic component validation testing is facilitated by a method, system and program product which allows the importation of virtual signals derived from simulation verification testing of the electronic component design into electronic test equipment employed during validation testing of the actual electronic component. The method includes: storing simulation data resulting from simulation testing of an electronic component's design; employing electronic test equipment to perform real-time testing of the actual electronic component and obtain real-time test signals therefor; automatically correlating the stored simulation data with the actual real-time test signals; and performing at least one of overlaying and/or displaying the correlated simulation data as virtual signals with the real-time test signals; and employing a trigger event automatically ascertained from the stored simulation data and triggering the electronic test equipment based thereon, thereby automatically controlling real-time testing of the electronic component via the stored simulation data. | 01-22-2009 |
20110074386 | VOLTAGE INDICATOR SIGNAL GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention provides for a system comprising a peripheral component interface (PCI) host bridge. The PCI host bridge is configured to be coupled to a PCI bus, and to receive a system reset signal, to generate a PCI bus reset signal based on the received system reset signal, to detect a PCI operational mode of the PCI bus, and to generate a voltage indicator signal based on the detected PCI operational mode. A voltage regulator is coupled to the PCI host bridge and configured to receive the voltage indicator signal and to regulate a signaling voltage for the PCI bus based on the voltage indicator signal. | 03-31-2011 |
20110107000 | VOLTAGE INDICATOR SIGNAL GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention provides for a system comprising a peripheral component interface (PCI) host bridge. The PCI host bridge is configured to be coupled to a PCI bus, and to receive a system reset signal, to generate a PCI bus reset signal based on the received system reset signal, to detect a PCI operational mode of the PCI bus, and to generate a voltage indicator signal based on the detected PCI operational mode. A voltage regulator is coupled to the PCI host bridge and configured to receive the voltage indicator signal and to regulate a signaling voltage for the PCI bus based on the voltage indicator signal. | 05-05-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130339035 | AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF SPEECH INTO SONG, RAP, OR OTHER AUDIBLE EXPRESSION HAVING TARGET METER OR RHYTHM - Captured vocals may be automatically transformed using advanced digital signal processing techniques that provide captivating applications, and even purpose-built devices, in which mere novice user-musicians may generate, audibly render and share musical performances. In some cases, the automated transformations allow spoken vocals to be segmented, arranged, temporally aligned with a target rhythm, meter or accompanying backing tracks and pitch corrected in accord with a score or note sequence. Speech-to-song music applications are one such example. In some cases, spoken vocals may be transformed in accord with musical genres such as rap using automated segmentation and temporal alignment techniques, often without pitch correction. Such applications, which may employ different signal processing and different automated transformations, may nonetheless be understood as speech-to-rap variations on the theme. | 12-19-2013 |
20140074459 | AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF SPEECH INTO SONG, RAP OR OTHER AUDIBLE EXPRESSION HAVING TARGET METER OR RHYTHM - Captured vocals may be automatically transformed using advanced digital signal processing techniques that provide captivating applications, and even purpose-built devices, in which mere novice user-musicians may generate, audibly render and share musical performances. In some cases, the automated transformations allow spoken vocals to be segmented, arranged, temporally aligned with a target rhythm, meter or accompanying backing tracks and pitch corrected in accord with a score or note sequence. Speech-to-song music applications are one such example. In some cases, spoken vocals may be transformed in accord with musical genres such as rap using automated segmentation and temporal alignment techniques, often without pitch correction. Such applications, which may employ different signal processing and different automated transformations, may nonetheless be understood as speech-to-rap variations on the theme. | 03-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090324017 | CAPTURING AND PROCESSING FACIAL MOTION DATA - Capturing and processing facial motion data includes: coupling a plurality of sensors to target points on a facial surface of an actor; capturing frame by frame images of the plurality of sensors disposed on the facial surface of the actor using at least one motion capture camera disposed on a head-mounted system; performing, in the head-mounted system, a tracking function on the frame by frame images of the plurality of sensors to accurately map the plurality of sensors for each frame; and generating, in the head-mounted system, a modeled surface representing the facial surface of the actor. | 12-31-2009 |
20100045680 | PERFORMANCE DRIVEN FACIAL ANIMATION - A method of animating a digital facial model, the method including: defining a plurality of action units; calibrating each action unit of the plurality of action units via an actor's performance; capturing first facial pose data; determining a plurality of weights, each weight of the plurality of weights uniquely corresponding to the each action unit, the plurality of weights characterizing a weighted combination of the plurality of action units, the weighted combination approximating the first facial pose data; generating a weighted activation by combining the results of applying the each weight to the each action unit; applying the weighted activation to the digital facial model; and recalibrating at least one action unit of the plurality of action units using input user adjustments to the weighted activation. | 02-25-2010 |
20100315524 | INTEGRATED MOTION CAPTURE - A method including: applying a marking material having a known pattern to a body and a face of an actor; configuring at least one first video motion capture camera to capture the marking material on the body of the actor; configuring at least one second video motion capture camera to capture the marking material on the face of the actor; substantially simultaneously capturing body motion data using the at least one first video motion capture camera and facial motion data using the at least one second video motion capture camera; and integrating the body motion data and the facial motion data. | 12-16-2010 |
20110091070 | COMBINING MULTI-SENSORY INPUTS FOR DIGITAL ANIMATION - Animating digital characters based on motion captured performances, including: receiving sensory data collected using a variety of collection techniques including optical video, electro-oculography, and at least one of optical, infrared, and inertial motion capture; and managing and combining the collected sensory data to aid cleaning, tracking, labeling, and re-targeting processes. Keywords include Optical Video Data and Inertial Motion Capture. | 04-21-2011 |
20110110561 | FACIAL MOTION CAPTURE USING MARKER PATTERNS THAT ACCOMODATE FACIAL SURFACE - Capturing facial surface using marker patterns laid out on the facial surface by adapting the marker patterns to contours of the facial surface and motion range of a head including: generating a facial action coding system (FACS) matrix by capturing FACS poses; generating a pattern to wrap over the facial surface using the FACS poses as a guide; capturing and tracking marker motions of the pattern; stabilizing the marker motions of the pattern using a head stabilization transform to remove head motions from the marker motions; and generating and applying a plurality of FACS matrix weights to the stabilized marker motions. | 05-12-2011 |
20110175921 | PERFORMANCE DRIVEN FACIAL ANIMATION - A method of animating a digital facial model, the method including: defining a plurality of action units; calibrating each action unit of the plurality of action units via an actor's performance; capturing first facial pose data; determining a plurality of weights, each weight of the plurality of weights uniquely corresponding to the each action unit, the plurality of weights characterizing a weighted combination of the plurality of action units, the weighted combination approximating the first facial pose data; generating a weighted activation by combining the results of applying the each weight to the each action unit; applying the weighted activation to the digital facial model; and recalibrating at least one action unit of the plurality of action units using input user adjustments to the weighted activation. | 07-21-2011 |
20130314501 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RENDERING AFFECTED PIXELS - Systems and methods are provided for minimizing re-projection artifacts. From a re-projection method, a distortion map determines areas of excessive stretching or compressing of pixels, which are then rendered. The re-projection and render are composited to create a new stereo image. Systems and methods are also provided for a “depth layout” process, whereby a new offset view of a 2D plate is created, allowing a stereo pair of images. Custom geometry that approximates the scene is created and 2D rotoscoping is employed to cut out shapes from the geometry. A depth map is created, from which an offset image may be re-projected, resulting in a stereo pair. Systems and methods are also provided for a fast re-projection technique, which creates a novel view from an existing image. The process generates a disparity map and then a distortion map, which is then used to create the new view. | 11-28-2013 |
20140003706 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENSURING STEREO ALIGNMENT DURING PIPELINE PROCESSING | 01-02-2014 |
20140105483 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING ARTIFACTS CAUSED BY VIEW-DEPENDENT LIGHTING COMPONENTS - Systems and methods are provided for resolving artifacts in view-dependent components. The system and method apply a different stereo camera pair to view-dependent versus non-view-dependent or independent rays. In this way the lighting components may be independently dialed to art direct specular components versus diffuse components. | 04-17-2014 |
20140210810 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RE-PROJECTION FOR MULTIPLE-VIEW DISPLAYS - Systems and methods are provided that allow for the rapid creation of multiple novel views for applications. These multiple views may allow for not only stereo views but also for different viewpoints of a stereographic scene to be presented, or for a time progression of the stereo scene to be presented, where a viewpoint is altered with respect to time. The systems and methods may be employed to create the content for auto-stereographic displays or multiple view systems that use a plurality of novel views to display stereo media. Such displays or multiple view systems may include those employing parallax barriers or lenticular lenses. | 07-31-2014 |
20140341429 | COMBINING MULTI-SENSORY INPUTS FOR DIGITAL ANIMATION - Animating digital characters based on motion captured performances, including: receiving sensory data collected using a variety of collection techniques including optical video, electro-oculography, and at least one of optical, infrared, and inertial motion capture; and managing and combining the collected sensory data to aid cleaning, tracking, labeling, and re-targeting processes. Keywords include Optical Video Data and Inertial Motion Capture. | 11-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100252326 | MODULAR SYSTEM FOR A BACK REAMER AND METHOD - A modular back reamer to be used in subterranean drilling includes a drive stem connected to a drill string and configured to support a reamer body, the reamer body providing a plurality of receptacles, wherein the receptacles are configured to retain a cutting leg assembly at varying heights within a predetermined range, and a plurality of shims engaged within the receptacles to secure the cutting leg assemblies at a specified height within the predetermined range, wherein the cutting leg assembly is secured to the reamer body with at least one mechanical fastener. | 10-07-2010 |
20120288226 | FLOW CONTROL THROUGH THRUST BEARING ASSEMBLY - A bearing assembly comprising a frame; a rotating disc disposed in the frame, the rotating disc comprising a first set of inserts; and a fixed disc disposed in the frame, the fixed disc comprising a second set of inserts, the second set of inserts configured to interact with the first set of inserts, and a lip disposed adjacent the second set of inserts. Also, a bearing assembly comprising a frame; a rotating disc disposed in the frame, the rotating disc comprising a first set of inserts and at least one groove disposed axially above at least one of the inserts; and a fixed disc disposed in the frame, the fixed disc comprising a second set of inserts, the second set of inserts configured to interact with the first set of inserts. | 11-15-2012 |
20150027322 | Cooking Apparatus - The invention provides a shish kebab type skewer and cooking rack system that supports at least two skewers in a plurality of positions, the novel skewers having an indexing means to fix the position of rotation of the skewer about the rotational axis in at least two positions. The skewers are provided with indexing members that overlap to permit moving all skewers with a single adjustment. The rack system can be used with a conventional backyard grill or indoors in a oven or stove top environment. | 01-29-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110049834 | CORROSION RESISTANT BUSHING - A method of forming a corrosion resistant bushing includes bonding a sliding layer to a first surface of a load bearing substrate to form a laminate sheet and cutting a blank from the laminate sheet. The laminate sheet includes an exposed surface corresponding to a second surface of the load bearing substrate. The blank includes cut edges having a load bearing substrate portion. The method further includes forming a semi-finished bushing from the blank, and applying a corrosion resistant coating to the exposed surface and the load bearing substrate portion of the cut edges to form the corrosion resistant bushing. | 03-03-2011 |
20110076096 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TOLERANCE RING CONTROL OF SLIP INTERFACE SLIDING FORCES - A tolerance ring comprising a metallic band for spring features and a complementary low friction material for frictional considerations is disclosed. The tolerance ring is designed to operate within a precisely controlled torque or axial force band to provide a defined amount of resistance and sliding force control between components that move relative to each other. Isolated portions of the tolerance ring form regions of contact with adjacent ones of the components. Other surfaces of the tolerance ring comprise portions with spring features that have geometry suitable for their spring rate, rather than conforming to mating surfaces of the adjacent components. | 03-31-2011 |
20120240350 | BUSHING WITH TRANSFIGURABLE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTION STATE - A bushing has a body with a cylindrical shape, an axis, and a plurality of dimples formed in the body extending in a radial direction with respect to the axis. The body is electrically conductive. A sliding layer that is electrically non-conductive is formed on at least a portion of the body. A coating that is electrically non-conductive is formed on at least a portion of the body. The bushing has an uninstalled configuration where the bushing is electrically non-conductive, and an installed configuration where the bushing is electrically conductive. | 09-27-2012 |
20140161519 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TOLERANCE RING CONTROL OF SLIP INTERFACE SLIDING FORCES - A tolerance ring comprising a metallic band for spring features and a complementary low friction material for frictional considerations is disclosed. The tolerance ring is designed to operate within a precisely controlled torque or axial force band to provide a defined amount of resistance and sliding force control between components that move relative to each other. Isolated portions of the tolerance ring form regions of contact with adjacent ones of the components. Other surfaces of the tolerance ring comprise portions with spring features that have geometry suitable for their spring rate, rather than conforming to mating surfaces of the adjacent components. | 06-12-2014 |
20150114549 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TOLERANCE RING CONTROL OF SLIP INTERFACE SLIDING FORCES - A tolerance ring comprising a metallic band for spring features and a complementary low friction material for frictional considerations is disclosed. The tolerance ring is designed to operate within a precisely controlled torque or axial force band to provide a defined amount of resistance and sliding force control between components that move relative to each other. Isolated portions of the tolerance ring form regions of contact with adjacent ones of the components. Other surfaces of the tolerance ring comprise portions with spring features that have geometry suitable for their spring rate, rather than conforming to mating surfaces of the adjacent components. | 04-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100250363 | EXCHANGE BASED ON TRADERS BUYING AND SELLING FICTITIOUS SHARES OF CONTENT TYPES BASED UPON ANTICIPATED RETURNS OF SUCH CONTENT - A method and system for generating data related to a plurality of content types across one or more category-types by facilitating the exchange of fictitious shares of the plurality of content types is provided and for encouraging users to join and actively participate in said exchange. | 09-30-2010 |
20130031175 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF GENERATING CONSUMER DATA BY FACILITATING THE COMMUNICATION OF FEEDBACK IN A GROUP SETTING - A method of generating consumer data by facilitating the communication of feedback in a group setting over a global data communications network is shown. After creating or joining a group, members of the group may send or receive polls, consisting of photos, videos, group texts and event messages to other group members and/or the poll creators' social networks. Other group members and social network friends are notified instantly or almost instantly and respond back promptly. The results are organized and presented in an engaging visual manner and the consumer data collected from such interactions are stored in a database. | 01-31-2013 |
20150193792 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF GENERATING RELEVANT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES BY FACILITATING THE COMMUNICATION OF FEEDBACK IN SMALL AND LARGE GROUP SETTINGS - A Method And System Of Generating Relevant Marketing Opportunities By Facilitating The Communication Of Feedback In Small And Large Group Settings is provided. With mobile and social networking technologies evolving and the growing need to receive virtually instant feedback from one's social and networking colleagues, the invention provides the ability for a user to send a photograph, video, event information or other form of group message to one or more pre-selected groups, each consisting of two or more members. These groups may be large (e.g. a stadium filled with people) or small (a small classroom). Each member may receive the message through almost instant communications technology and provide a response, which one or more members of the one or more pre-selected groups may view in an engaging results format and continue a group discussion, if desired. In addition, members are presented with native advertisements as part of the user experience and may engage the services of virtual artificial intelligence members in ways beneficial to the group interactions. | 07-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090168765 | ENDPOINT SELECTION FOR A CALL COMPLETION RESPONSE - Techniques for selecting a call completion response from a group of call completion responses based on weights associated with the call completion responses, are provided. A server processes a call invitation for a callee by forwarding the call invitation to each of the callee's endpoints. Each of the callee's endpoints associates a weight to its call completion response it generates to accept or reject the call invitation. The server waits to receive the call completion responses from each of the callee's endpoints or for a predetermined period of time (i.e., a timeout), and uses the weights associated with the received call completion responses to decide which of the received call completion responses to use to complete the call invitation. | 07-02-2009 |
20120219129 | ASSOCIATING A TELEPHONE CALL WITH A DIALOG BASED ON A COMPUTER PROTOCOL SUCH AS SIP - Providing non-voice capabilities relating to a phone call at a computing device includes receiving a request to begin a telephone call from a first telephone to a second telephone, wherein the requesting is performed using messaging between computing devices connected via a computer network, and wherein the messaging is part of a signaling phase dialog. The signaling phase dialog may be used in providing information associated with the identity of parties of the telephone call. Commencing a call phase dialog between the computing devices may be performed after the telephone call is established over the public switched telephone network. The call phase dialog may allow messages relating to the telephone call to be passed between the computing devices, at least while the telephone call is in progress. The dialogs and messaging may be performed using session initiation protocol (SIP) or another computer communication protocol. | 08-30-2012 |
20130018969 | MISSED INSTANT MESSAGE NOTIFICATION - A method and system for capturing missed communications is provided. An enhanced real-time communication system receives a communication from an initiating participant for a receiving participant that is not available. The enhanced real-time communication system detects that the receiving participant missed the received communication from the initiating participant. Upon detecting that the receiving participant missed the communication, the enhanced real-time communication system stores the missed communication for later retrieval by the receiving participant. | 01-17-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100082422 | PLACEMENT IDENTIFICATION AND RESERVATION - A reservation system receives placement inventory data from publishers that define placements that the publishers are offering for reservation. Placement queries that include targeting criteria for advertisements are received from an advertiser. Available placements that satisfy the target query from the placements defined in the placement inventory data are identified as target placements. The advertiser can reserve the placements from the publisher, and modify the reservation during a reservation period. Advertisements belonging to a campaign of the advertiser can be provided to the publisher either by the advertiser directly in response to publisher requests to serve an advertisement for the reservation, or can be provided to the publisher by the reservation system or an advertising server in communication with the reservation system. Discrepancies of reported performance of advertisements in the placements reported by the advertisers and the publishers can be reconciled and attributed to either the advertiser or the publisher. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082429 | TARGETING BASED PLACEMENT IDENTIFICATION - A reservation system can identify available placements based on targeting criteria provided by advertisers and placement inventory data provided by publishers. The reservation system can receive reservation data for the available placements from the publishers and provide the reservation data with the available placements to the advertisers. The available placements and can be ranked and presented to the advertisers based on a first precision with which the placement can satisfy the advertiser's targeting criteria. A second precision can be determined for each placement that has enabled targeting rules. In turn, the reservation system can rank and present the placements based on the first and second precisions. | 04-01-2010 |
20120136921 | EVENT MANAGEMENT FOR HOSTED APPLICATIONS - At a server system, event data is received that was sent over a network to the server system. The event data reflects one or more application events generated by at least one hosted application. The hosted application is executed on one or more servers and being accessible by a user over a network using a user client device. The event data is stored at the server system. A request to view information regarding events generated by the hosted application is received at the server system and from an administrator client device over a network. The stored event data is received. At the administrator client device and based on the retrieved event data, a display of information regarding application events is generated by the hosted application. | 05-31-2012 |
20120265805 | EVENT MANAGEMENT FOR HOSTED APPLICATIONS - At a server system, event data is received that was sent over a network to the server system. The event data reflects one or more application events generated by at least one hosted application. The hosted application is executed on one or more servers and being accessible by a user over a network using a user client device. The event data is stored at the server system. A request to view information regarding events generated by the hosted application is received at the server system and from an administrator client device over a network. The stored event data is received. At the administrator client device and based on the retrieved event data, a display of information regarding application events is generated by the hosted application. | 10-18-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140150789 | Cannula For Minimizing Dilution Of Dosing During Nitric Oxide Delivery - The present invention generally relates to, amongst other things, systems, devices, materials, and methods that can improve the accuracy and/or precision of nitric oxide therapy by, for example, reducing the dilution of inhaled nitric oxide (NO). As described herein, NO dilution can occur because of various factors. To reduce the dilution of an intended NO dose, various exemplary nasal cannulas, pneumatic configurations, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, etc. are disclosed. | 06-05-2014 |
20140158121 | Cannula For Minimizing Dilution Of Dosing During Nitric Oxide Delivery - The present invention generally relates to, amongst other things, systems, devices, materials, and methods that can improve the accuracy and/or precision of nitric oxide therapy by, for example, reducing the dilution of inhaled nitric oxide (NO). As described herein, NO dilution can occur because of various factors. To reduce the dilution of an intended NO dose, various exemplary nasal cannulas, pneumatic configurations, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, etc. are disclosed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140166009 | Cannula For Minimizing Dilution Of Dosing During Nitric Oxide Delivery - Described are nasal cannulas that improve the precision of the delivered dose for nitric oxide therapy by reducing the dilution of nitric oxide. The nasal cannulas may reduce the total volume and potential for retrograde flow during nitric oxide therapy through the design of the specific dimensions of the flow path and/or having check valves in the nitric oxide delivery line and/or having a flapper or umbrella valve dedicated to nitric oxide delivery. The nasal cannulas may also use materials that limit oxygen diffusion through the cannula walls. The nosepiece for these cannulas may be manufactured by a molding technique. | 06-19-2014 |
20140299129 | Cannula For Minimizing Dilution Of Dosing During Nitric Oxide Delivery - The present invention generally relates to, amongst other things, systems, devices, materials, and methods that can improve the accuracy and/or precision of nitric oxide therapy by, for example, reducing the dilution of inhaled nitric oxide (NO). As described herein, NO dilution can occur because of various factors. To reduce the dilution of an intended NO dose, various exemplary nasal cannulas, pneumatic configurations, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, etc. are disclosed. | 10-09-2014 |
20150238720 | Cannula For Minimizing Dilution Of Dosing During Nitric Oxide Delivery - The present invention generally relates to, amongst other things, systems, devices, materials, and methods that can improve the accuracy and/or precision of nitric oxide therapy by, for example, reducing the dilution of inhaled nitric oxide (NO). As described herein, NO dilution can occur because of various factors. To reduce the dilution of an intended NO dose, various exemplary nasal cannulas, pneumatic configurations, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, etc. are disclosed. | 08-27-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080316664 | RESETTABLE MEMS MICRO-SWITCH ARRAY BASED ON CURRENT LIMITING APPARATUS - The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system, devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip. | 12-25-2008 |
20090159410 | MEMS MICROSWITCH HAVING A CONDUCTIVE MECHANICAL STOP - A MEMS switch includes a substrate, a movable actuator coupled to the substrate, a substrate contact, a substrate electrode, and a conductive stopper electrically coupled to the movable actuator and structured to prevent the movable actuator from contacting the substrate electrode while allowing the movable actuator to make contact with the substrate contact. | 06-25-2009 |
20110067983 | SWITCH STRUCTURE AND METHOD - Provided is a device, such as a switch structure, that includes a contact and a conductive element that is configured to be deformable between a first position in which the conductive element is separated from the contact and a second position in which the conductive element contacts the contact. The conductive element can be formed substantially of metallic material configured to inhibit time-dependent deformation. For example, the metallic material may be configured to exhibit a maximum steady-state plastic strain rate of less than 10 | 03-24-2011 |
20110128112 | SWITCH STRUCTURES - A device, such as a switch structure, is provided. The switch structure can include a contact and a conductive element each respectively disposed on a substrate. The conductive element can be composed substantially of metallic material, and can be configured to be deformable between a first position, in which the conductive element is separated from the contact by a separation distance, and a second position, in which the conductive element contacts the contact and stores mechanical energy. The conductive element can be further configured such that, subsequent to being deformed into the second position at a temperature between about room temperature and about half of a melting temperature of the metallic material for a cumulative time of at least 10 | 06-02-2011 |