FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of hair drying devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to a hair drying device with a right-angle gearing system.
BACKGROUND
Existing motor of the hair dryer is set in the barrel. There is a certain distance between the motor and the handle of the hair dryer. The motor will generate vibration and torque in the handle while working, which leads to poor grip on the hair dryer and makes it difficult to use the hair dryer. Additionally, existing hair dryer can produce levels of noise that can be uncomfortable or harmful to human hearing.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In an aspect, a hair drying device with a right-angle gearing system is described. The hair drying device includes an electric motor having a stator shaft with a proximal end located at the electric motor and a distal end, at least a fan having a drive shaft with a proximal end at the at least a fan and a distal end, a right-angle gearing system configured to connect the electric motor and the at least a fan, wherein the right-angle gearing system includes an input gear element, wherein the input gear element is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the stator shaft, an output gear element, wherein the output gear element is connected to the distal end of the drive shaft, and wherein the input gear element is perpendicular to the output gear element, at least a heating element in fluidic connection to the at least a fan, and a housing comprising a barrel and a handle, wherein the handle is configured to house the electric motor, and the barrel is configured to house the at least a fan and the at least a heating element.
In another aspect, a method for manufacturing a hair drying device with a right-angle gearing system is described. The method includes connecting, by an stator shaft, an input gear element of a right-angle gearing system to an electric motor located at a proximal end of the stator shaft, connecting, by a drive shaft, an output gear element of the right-angle gearing system to at least a fan located at a proximal end of the drive shaft, wherein the input gear element is perpendicular to the output gear element, and housing, by a housing including a handle and a barrel, the electric motor in the handle, and the at least a fan and at least a heating element in the barrel.
These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a hair drying device;
FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a hair drying device with a dual-fan system;
FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a right-angle gearing system; and
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for manufacturing a hair drying device with a right-angle gearing system; and
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing system that can be used to implement any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein and any one or more portions thereof.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
At a high level, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a hair drying device with a right-angle gearing system. In an embodiment, the right-angle gearing system may include magnetic gears. Aspects of the present disclosure allow for the hair drying device to operate at low noise. Exemplary embodiments illustrating aspects of the present disclosure are described below in the context of several specific examples.
Now referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a hair drying device 100 is illustrated. As used in this disclosure, a “hair drying device” is a device configured to remove moisture (i.e., water) from the hair of a user through outputting airflow. A hair drying device described herein may generate less noise than a hair drying device not using the features described herein. In a non-limiting example, hair drying device 300 may be consistent with any hair drying device described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/225,887, filed on Jul. 25, 2023, entitled “A HAIR DRYING DEVICE WITH NOISE REDUCTION ELEMENTS,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, much of the noise a hairdryer makes comes from a motor, a fan, gears, and the movement of air through the device at high speeds. In some embodiments, noise from a motor can be reduced or mitigated by using one or more of the following strategies: (1) encasing or partially encasing the motor within a shroud, (2) isolating the motor from the inlet and outlet of the device, such as with a sound dampening material, (3) including a sound dampening material in a section of a housing, such as a handle if the motor is located in the handle, and (4) running the motor at a lower RPM. In some embodiments, noise from a fan can be reduced or mitigated by using one or more of the following strategies: (1) running the fan at a lower RPM, which optionally be offset by including more than one fan, and (2) including one or more fans with circular flat backs. In some embodiments, noise from gears can be reduced or mitigated by right-angle gearing system using magnetic gears. In some embodiments, noise from high-speed movement of air through a device can be reduced or mitigated by including a heating element built into one or more fins, rather than a heating coil, as fins may cause less disruption in air flowing through the device. Exemplary embodiments of strategies listed above are described in further detail below.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 includes an electric motor 304. Electric motor may electrically connect to a power source 108. As used in this disclosure, a “power source” is any system, device, or means that provides power such as, without limitation, electric power to a device. Power source may provide electrical power to other devices and/or components within hair drying device 100 as described below such as, without limitation, heating element, any computing device and/or the like. In a non-limiting example, hair drying device 100 may be electrically connected to a power source. In some embodiments, power source may be externally electrically connected to hair drying device 100. In such embodiment, power source may include an external power source such as, without limitation, a wall outlet. In some cases, transmitting electric power may include using one or more continuous conductor. A “continuous conductor,” as described herein, is an electrical conductor, without any interruption, made from electrically conducting material that is capable of carrying electrical current. Electrically conductive material may comprise copper for example. Electrically conductive material may include any material that is conductive to electrical current and may include, as a nonlimiting example, various metals such as copper, steel, or aluminum, carbon conducting materials, or any other suitable conductive material.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, power source 108 may include a power regulator. As described in this disclosure, a “power regulator” is an electric device in power source 108 that performs electrical power regulation or redistribution, wherein “power regulation” or “power redistribution,” as described herein, refers to a process that keeps voltage of power source below its maximum value during operation, non-operation, or charging. In some embodiment, power source 108 may include a balancer. As described herein, a “balancer” is an electric device in power source 108 that performs power balancing, wherein “power balancing,” for the purpose of this disclosure, refers to a process that balances electric energy from one or more first power sources (e.g., strong batteries) to one or more second power sources (e.g., weaker batteries).
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, power source 108 may be incorporated by hair drying device 100 internally. In a non-limiting example, hair drying device may include a power source disposed inside hair brushing device 100 such as, without limitation, a battery 148, within handle of hair drying device as described below. As used in this disclosure, a “battery” is an electrochemical device that stores and releases electrical energy by converting chemical energy into electrical energy through a chemical reaction. In some embodiments, battery may be contained within handle of hair drying device 100. In some embodiments, battery may include one or more battery cells, wherein each battery cell may include a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte configured to separate the cathode and the anode. Exemplary battery cells may include, without limitation, lithium-ion battery cells, lithium-metal battery cells, air-metal battery cells, lead-acid battery cells, or the like. In a non-limiting example, battery may include a coin battery. As used in this disclosure, a “coin battery” is a button cell that is shaped as a squat cylinder resembling a button. Coin battery may include a bottom body in stainless steel as a positive terminal, and a metallic top cap as a negative terminal. In another non-limiting example, power source 108 may include a lithium coin battery. In some embodiments, battery may be removable or non-removable. In some embodiments, battery may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, as used in this disclosure, an “electric motor” is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. In some embodiments, electric motor 104 may include a stator. Electric motor includes a stator shaft with a proximal end located at the electric motor and a distal end. A “stator”, as used herein, is a stationary component of electric motor and/or electric motor assembly. In some embodiment, stator may include an inner and outer cylindrical surface; a plurality of magnetic poles may extend outward from the outer cylindrical surface of stator. In some cases, stator may include an annular stator, wherein the stator is ring-shaped.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, electric motor 104 may include a rotor. For the purpose of this disclosure, a “rotor” is a portion of electric motor 104 that rotates with respect to stator of the electric motor. In a non-limiting example, electric motor may include a brushed DC motor. Stator may be incorporated into brushed DC motor where stator is fixed and functions to supply the magnetic fields where corresponding rotor rotates.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, as used in this disclosure, a “brushed DC motor” is an electric motor that operates using a mechanical communication system to control the current (i.e., direct current) flow to rotor. In some embodiments, brushed DC motor may additionally include a commutator, wherein the commutator is a cylindrical structure that is attached to rotor containing a series of metal segments that are insulated from each other. In some embodiments, brushed DC motor may further include one or more brushes, wherein the brushes are conductive contacts that are positioned on opposite sides of commutator, connected to a power source as described in further detail below.
In a non-limiting example, and still referring to FIG. 1, when an electric current is applied to stator of electric motor 104, stator may create a magnetic field that interacts with rotor of electric motor 104. Commutator and brushes may be used to switch the direction of the current flow to rotor as it rotates, causing rotor to generate mechanical energy. In some cases, the speed and torque of electric motor 104 may be controlled by adjusting the voltage or current supplied to stator. In other cases, the speed and torque of electric motor 104 may be controlled by changing the number of poles on stator or rotor.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, additionally, or alternatively, electric motor 104 may include an AC motor. As used in this disclosure, an “AC” motor stator is an electric motor that operates using an alternating current (AC) to generate magnetic field that interacts with rotor to produce mechanical energy. In an embodiment, stator may be incorporated in an AC motor where stator is fixed and functions to supply the magnetic fields by radio frequency electric currents through an electromagnet to a corresponding rotor rotates. Persons skilled in the art will be aware, after reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, of many different electric motor and components thereof may be incorporated in hair drying device 100 that is further explained herein.
Still referring to FIG. 1, electric motor 104 may include a shroud. As used in this disclosure, a “shroud” is an enclosing structure used to cover electric motor 104. In a non-limiting example, electric motor 104 may be enclosed by a protective cover (i.e., shroud) to protect electric motor 304 from damage or exposure to environmental factors such as, without limitation, dust, moisture, vibration, and/or the like. In some embodiments, shroud may be constructed from a sound dampening material, wherein the “sound dampening material,” for the purpose of this disclosure, is a material that is used to reduce or eliminate transmission of sound waves from one environment such as, without limitation, electrical motor 104 operation environment within hair drying device 100 to another environment such as, without limitation, surrounding environment of the user. In a non-limiting example, sound dampening material may include a variety of substance, including, without limitation, foam, rubber, fiberglass, composite material, any combination thereof and/or the like. Shroud constructed from sound dampening material may be aerodynamically shaped so that air flow obstruction is minimized; for instance, and without limitation, shroud may include a smooth surface and an oval or teardrop shape.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 includes at least a fan 112. At least a fan 112 may include a plurality of blades. As used in this disclosure, a “fan” is a device that moves air by means of rotating plurality of blades or vanes to generate a flow (i.e., a stream of air). Flow may be directed towards a user's hair. In some embodiments, electric motor 104 of hair drying device 100 may include a shaft, wherein the “shaft,” as described in this disclosure, is a rotating component that transmits torque or force between other components. Shaft may include a circular cross-section and may be configured to rotate within bearings of other support structures. In a non-limiting example, at least a fan 112 includes a drive shaft with a proximal end at the at least a fan 112 and a distal end, wherein the drive shaft may be driven by electric motor 104 powered by power source 108, and may transmit power to at least a fan 112. At least a fan 112 may include a hub, wherein the “hub” is a central component configured to provide a mounting point for other components such as, without limitation, shaft of electric motor 104. In some embodiments, hub may be stationary or rotate along with the connected shaft such as, without limitation, drive shaft. In a non-limiting example, plurality of blades may be around hub. In some cases, plurality of blades may be oriented in a spiral or radial configuration to optimize the flow. At least a fan 112 may rotate as stator shaft of electric motor rotates or as drive shaft rotates, wherein the rotation of at least a fan 112 may draw air from surrounding environment and accelerates the air through rotating plurality of blades, thereby generating a flow.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 may include a gear 116, wherein the gear 116 may include a plurality of teeth. As used in this disclosure, a “gear” is a mechanical component that transmits torque or force between rotating components by means of meshing plurality of teeth. In some embodiments, gear 116 may be configured to change the direction of mechanical energy produced by electric motor 104. In a non-limiting example, the hair drying device 100 includes a right-angle gearing system configured to connect electric motor 104 and at least a fan 112. Right-angle gearing system includes an input gear element and an output gear element, wherein the input gear element is perpendicular to the output gear element. Input gear element is mechanically coupled to distal end of stator shaft as described above and output gear element is connected to the distal end of the drive shaft as described above. input gear element may rotate in a clockwise direction, plurality of teeth of input gear element may push against plurality of teeth of meshed output gear element, wherein output gear element may be oriented perpendicular to the input gear element. In such embodiment, output gear element may rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Gear 116 may be used to transmit torque or force between rotating components that are oriented in different directions, allowing mechanical energy to be transferred and redirected as needed by hair drying device 100. Right-angle gearing system is described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 3.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 includes at least a heating element 120. At least a heating element 120 may be powered by power source 108. As used in this disclosure, a “heating element” is a component that is configured to generate heat. In some embodiments, heating element 120 may include a wire coil, wherein the wire coil may be wrapped around a ceramic or other heating-resistant material such as, without limitation, metal alloys (e.g., nichrome, kanthal, and the like) and/or composite materials that are designed to withstand high temperatures and provide consistent heating performance over time. In a non-limiting example, electrical current transmitted from power source 108 may pass through wire coil of at least a heating element 120, thereby generating heat, wherein the heat may be transferred to the surrounding air or other medium. In other embodiments, at least a heating element 120 may include a ceramic plate or other flat surface that is heated by electrical current. In such embodiment, heated flat surface may be used to direct heated air within hair drying device 100.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, additionally, or alternatively, at least a heating element 120 of hair drying device 100 may be shaped to reduce noise while still allowing for effective transference of heat to the flow generated by at least a fan 112 driven by electric motor 104. In some embodiments, at least a heating element 120 may include a plurality of fins. As used in this disclosure, “fins” are thin, protruding structures attached to the surface of at least a heating element 120 configured to increase the surface area of at least a heating element 120. Plurality of fins may be configured to improve heat transfer efficiency. In a non-limiting example, plurality of fins may be attached to surface of at least a heating element 120 in order to increase the amount of heat that is transferred to the surrounding air.
Still referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, plurality of fins may be arranged in a variety of patterns depending on desired heating performance. In a non-limiting example, plurality of fins may include straight fins, wherein under this pattern, plurality of fins may be arranged in a straight line along the length of at least a heating element 120. In another non-limiting example, plurality of fins may include wavy fins, wherein under this pattern, plurality of fins may be arranged in a wavy or zigzag pattern along the length of at least a heating element 120. In a further non-limiting example, plurality of fins may include pin fins, wherein under this pattern, plurality of fins may be arranged in a series of small pins or needles along the surface of at least a heating element 120. In other non-limiting example, plurality of fins may include helical fins, wherein under this pattern, plurality of fins may be arranged in a helix or spiral pattern along the length of at least a heating element 120. Persons skilled in the art will be aware, after reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, of many different fins arrangement patterns for at least a heating element 120 may be incorporated in hair drying device 100 that is further explained herein.
With further reference to FIG. 1, plurality of fins may be constructed from materials with a high thermal conductivity (e.g., metal alloy, ceramic, and the like as described above). Additionally, or alternatively, plurality of fins may include various geometries and/or orientations. For instance, and without limitation, each fin of plurality of fins may have a smooth surface. In other instances, and without limitation, each fin of plurality of fins may have a textured surface (e.g., ridges or dimples) to further increase a surface area of at least a heating element 120. Further, plurality of fins may be oriented radially about the interior of a nozzle of the hair drying device, where the length of each fin of plurality of fins may extend parallel to a central axis of the nozzle. Nozzle disclosed here is described in further detail below. Such configuration of plurality of fins of at least a heating element 120 may also aid in noise reduction as described above. In other embodiments, plurality of fins may be planar or triangularly shaped to act like internal chevrons.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 includes a housing 124. As used in this disclosure, a “housing” is an external structure or casing that encloses internal components of hair drying device 100 such as, without limitation, electric motor 104, at least a fan 112, gear 116, heating element 120 and the like as described in this disclosure. In some embodiments, housing 124 may include a front housing 128 containing an air outlet 132. As used in this disclosure, a “front housing” is a part of housing 124 that covers and protects front-facing components (e.g., at least a heating element 120, at least a fan 112, and the like) located on the front of hair drying device 100. An “air outlet,” for the purpose of this disclosure, is an opening, or otherwise a passage of housing 124 of hair drying device 100 through which air can exit. In a non-limiting example, housing 124 includes a barrel, wherein the barrel is configured to house at least a fan 112 and at least a heating element 120. Barrel may be part of housing 124 that faces the user of hair drying device 100. Air outlet 132 may be shaped and positioned to direct flow generated by at least a fan 112 to a specific area of user's hair. Air outlet 132 may be connected to a duct or other passage that directs air from internal components of hairy drying device 100 to air outlet 132. In some embodiments, air outlet 132 may include a diffuser attachment, wherein the diffuser attachment is a device used to disperse the flow generated by at least a fan 112 and output through air outlet 132 over a wider area. In other embodiments, air outlet 132 may include a concentrator attachment, wherein the concentrator attachment is a device used to focus flow generated by at least a fan 112 and output through air outlet 132 onto a specific section of user's hair.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, housing 124 may include a rear housing 136 containing an air inlet 140. As used in this disclosure, a “rear housing” is a part of housing 124 that covers and protects back-facing components (e.g., power source 108, power cord, any electrical connections, and the like) located on the back of hair drying device 100. In some embodiments, rear housing 136 may be opposite to front housing 128 as described above. An “air inlet,” as used in this disclosure, is an opening, or otherwise a passage of housing 124 of hair drying device 100 through which air can enter. In some embodiments, air inlet 140 may be located at the rear of hair drying device 100. In a non-limiting example, rear housing 136 may be part of barrel as described above. In some cases, air inlet 140 may include a filter configured to filter out debris or other particles from air such as, without limitation, dust, hair, lint, and the like to prevent them from entering internal components (e.g., at least a fan 112) of hair drying device 100, wherein the filter may be placed over air inlet 140. Filtering may be accomplished through the use of a mesh or other type of filter material such as, without limitation, activated carbon, polyester, fiberglass, and the like thereof. In some embodiments, the size and shape of air inlet 140 may be designed to optimize the flow of air into hair drying device 100 and/or to minimize noise; for instance, and without limitation, air inlet 140 may be shaped to create venturi effect as described above. Additionally, or alternatively, air inlet 140 may be connected to a duct or other passage that directs air to internal components of hairy drying device 100.
With further reference to FIG. 1, housing 124 may include a middle housing 144. As used in this disclosure, a “middle housing” is a part of housing 124 that connects front housing 128 and rear housing 136 as described above. In some embodiments, middle housing may be located in the center of hair drying device 100. In a non-limiting example, housing 124 includes a handle 148, wherein the handle 148 is configured to house electric motor 104. Middle housing 144 may include handle 148. A “handle,” for the purpose of this disclosure, is a portion of housing 124 configured to be held by the user of hair drying device 100. Handle 148 may be located at the middle bottom of hair drying device 100. In some embodiments, handle 148 may be ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable and secure grip. In a non-limiting example, handle 148 may wrap about a hand of the user so that excessive force or energy may not be required by handle 148 of hair drying device 100. Such ergonomic design may reduce muscle strain on the user during operation of hair drying device 100. In another non-limiting example, handle 148 may wrap about the forearm or contact a dorsal area of the user's hand for additional support. In some instances, handle 148 may extend downward so that the body of the hair drying device 100 may hang below handle 148 and the hand of the user. Additionally, or alternatively, handle 148 may include a fully integrated handle, wherein the fully integrated handle is a handle 148 that is seamlessly and permanently integrated into the body of hair drying device 100. In a non-limiting example, body of hair drying device 100 and fully integrated handle may be a monolithic component. Electric motor 104 and gear 116 may be disposed in middle housing 144; for instance, and without limitation, electric motor 104 may be disposed in handle 148 and gear 116 may be disposed right above electric motor 104 within the body of hair drying device 100. Further, handle 136 of hair drying device may include a detachable handle, wherein the detachable handle may be able to separate from body of hair drying device 100. In a non-limiting example, housing 124 may include a swivel joint, wherein the swivel joint may allow handle 136 to be pivoted relative to body of the hair drying device 100.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, housing 124 may be constructed from an injectable mold. In a non-limiting example, housing 124 may be constructed from plastic material. As used in this disclosure, an “injectable mold” is a manufacturing tool for producing plastic parts such as, without limitation, housing 124 and elements thereof (i.e., front housing 128, rear housing 136, middle housing 144). Manufacturing housing 124 may include using an injection molding process, wherein the injection molding process may involve a use of injectable mold configured to create specific shape and features of housing 124. In some embodiments, injectable mold may include two halves that are clamped together, with one or more cavities in between, wherein the cavities may define the shape of housing 124. In some cases, material such as, without limitation, molten plastic may be injected into the injectable mold under high pressure, filling the space and taking on the shape of injectable mold. Injection molding process may include a cooling process which is configured to cool and/or solidify injected material. Injectable mold may be then opened and finished housing 124 may be removed. In some embodiments, injectable mold may be precisely machined to desired shape and size of housing 124. In a non-limiting example, housing 124 may include a bell-shaped inlet. Nozzle of housing 124 may include a plurality of chevrons, which may be arranged along a perimeter or disposed along an interior surface of outlet 132. Such configuration may reduce noise of the output airflow. Additionally, or alternatively, outlet 132 may include an adjustable geometry and/or include a choke.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, housing 124 may include an external mount. As used in this disclosure, an “external mount” is a component on housing 124 that allows wires or cables to be securely attached to hair drying device 100 externally. In a non-limiting example, housing 124 may include external mount such as, without limitation, cable channels, cable clips, cable ties, and the like that allows a wire of hair drying device 100 to be selectively attached to housing 124 at a more ergonomic location. External mount may be arranged on the exterior of middle housing 144 such as, without limitation, handle 148. Wire may be connected to external power source as described above in this disclosure. In such embodiment, external mount may prevent wire from undesirably counteracting/resisting movements of the user of hair drying device 100.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 may include a computing device. Computing device may include any computing device as described in this disclosure, including without limitation a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) and/or system on a chip (SoC) as described in this disclosure. Computing device may include, be included in, and/or communicate with a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or smartphone. Computing device may include a single computing device operating independently, or may include two or more computing device operating in concert, in parallel, sequentially or the like; two or more computing devices may be included together in a single computing device or in two or more computing devices. Computing device may interface or communicate with one or more additional devices as described below in further detail via a network interface device. Network interface device may be utilized for connecting computing device to one or more of a variety of networks, and one or more devices. Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a network associated with an office, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software etc.) may be communicated to and/or from a computer and/or a computing device. Computing device may include but is not limited to, for example, a computing device or cluster of computing devices in a first location and a second computing device or cluster of computing devices in a second location. Computing device may include one or more computing devices dedicated to data storage, security, distribution of traffic for load balancing, and the like. Computing device may distribute one or more computing tasks as described below across a plurality of computing devices of computing device, which may operate in parallel, in series, redundantly, or in any other manner used for distribution of tasks or memory between computing devices. Computing device may be implemented using a “shared nothing” architecture in which data is cached at the worker, in an embodiment, this may enable scalability of hair drying device 100 and/or computing device.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, computing device may be designed and/or configured to perform any method, method step, or sequence of method steps in any embodiment described in this disclosure, in any order and with any degree of repetition. For instance, computing device may be configured to perform a single step or sequence repeatedly until a desired or commanded outcome is achieved; repetition of a step or a sequence of steps may be performed iteratively and/or recursively using outputs of previous repetitions as inputs to subsequent repetitions, aggregating inputs and/or outputs of repetitions to produce an aggregate result, reduction or decrement of one or more variables such as global variables, and/or division of a larger processing task into a set of iteratively addressed smaller processing tasks. Computing device may perform any step or sequence of steps as described in this disclosure in parallel, such as simultaneously and/or substantially simultaneously performing a step two or more times using two or more parallel threads, processor cores, or the like; division of tasks between parallel threads and/or processes may be performed according to any protocol suitable for division of tasks between iterations. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various ways in which steps, sequences of steps, processing tasks, and/or data may be subdivided, shared, or otherwise dealt with using iteration, recursion, and/or parallel processing.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, computing device may communicate with other computing devices using one or more signals. As used in this disclosure, a “signal” is a human-intelligible and/or machine-readable representation of data, for example and without limitation an electrical and/or digital signal from one device to another; signals may be passed using any suitable communicative connection. As used in this disclosure, “communicatively connected” means connected by way of a connection, attachment, or linkage between two or more relata which allows for reception and/or transmittance of information therebetween. For example, and without limitation, this connection may be wired or wireless, direct, or indirect, and between two or more components, circuits, devices, systems, and the like, which allows for reception and/or transmittance of data and/or signal(s) therebetween. Data and/or signals therebetween may include, without limitation, electrical, electromagnetic, magnetic, video, audio, radio, and microwave data and/or signals, combinations thereof, and the like, among others. A communicative connection may be achieved, for example and without limitation, through wired or wireless electronic, digital, or analog, communication, either directly or by way of one or more intervening devices or components. Further, communicative connection may include electrically coupling or connecting at least an output of one device, component, or circuit to at least an input of another device, component, or circuit. For example, and without limitation, via a bus or other facility for intercommunication between elements of a computing device. Communicative connecting may also include indirect connections via, for example and without limitation, wireless connection, radio communication, low power wide area network, optical communication, magnetic, capacitive, or optical coupling, and the like. In some instances, the terminology “communicatively coupled” may be used in place of communicatively connected in this disclosure. A signal may include an optical signal, a hydraulic signal, a pneumatic signal, a mechanical signal, an electric signal, a digital signal, an analog signal and the like. In some cases, a signal may be used to communicate with a computing device, for example by way of one or more ports. In some cases, a signal may be transmitted and/or received by computing device, for example by way of an input/output port. An analog signal may be digitized, for example by way of an analog to digital converter. In some cases, an analog signal may be processed, for example by way of any analog signal processing steps described in this disclosure, prior to digitization. In some cases, a digital signal may be used to communicate between two or more devices, including without limitation computing devices. In some cases, a digital signal may be communicated by way of one or more communication protocols, including without limitation internet protocol (IP), controller area network (CAN) protocols, serial communication protocols (e.g., universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter [UART]), parallel communication protocols (e.g., IEEE 128 [printer port]), and the like.
Still referring to FIG. 1, in some cases, computing device may perform one or more signal processing steps on a signal. For instance, computing device of hair drying device 100 may analyze, modify, and/or synthesize a signal representative of data in order to improve the signal, for instance by improving transmission, storage efficiency, or signal to noise ratio. Exemplary methods of signal processing may include analog, continuous time, discrete, digital, nonlinear, and statistical. Analog signal processing may be performed on non-digitized or analog signals. Exemplary analog processes may include passive filters, active filters, additive mixers, integrators, delay lines, compandors, multipliers, voltage-controlled filters, voltage-controlled oscillators, phase-locked loops, and/or any other process using operational amplifiers or other analog circuit elements. Continuous-time signal processing may be used, in some cases, to process signals which vary continuously within a domain, for instance time. Exemplary non-limiting continuous time processes may include time domain processing, frequency domain processing (Fourier transform), and complex frequency domain processing. Discrete time signal processing may be used when a signal is sampled non-continuously or at discrete time intervals (i.e., quantized in time). Analog discrete-time signal processing may process a signal using the following exemplary circuits sample and hold circuits, analog time-division multiplexers, analog delay lines and analog feedback shift registers. Digital signal processing may be used to process digitized discrete-time sampled signals. Commonly, digital signal processing may be performed by a computing device or other specialized digital circuits, such as without limitation an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a specialized digital signal processor (DSP). Digital signal processing may be used to perform any combination of typical arithmetical operations, including fixed-point and floating-point, real-valued and complex-valued, multiplication and addition. Digital signal processing may additionally operate circular buffers and lookup tables. Further non-limiting examples of algorithms that may be performed according to digital signal processing techniques include fast Fourier transform (FFT), finite impulse response (FIR) filter, infinite impulse response (IIR) filter, and adaptive filters such as the Wiener and Kalman filters. Statistical signal processing may be used to process a signal as a random function (i.e., a stochastic process), utilizing statistical properties. For instance, in some embodiments, a signal may be modeled with a probability distribution indicating noise, which then may be used to reduce noise in a processed signal.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 may further include a display 152 communicatively connected to computing device of hair drying device 100. Display 152 may be disposed on handle 136 of hair drying device 100. As used in this disclosure, a “display” is a device configured to provide a visual feedback or information to the user of hair drying device 100. In a non-limiting example, display 152 may include an indicator light configured to provide feedback to the user about the status of hair drying device 100 or the hair being dried through lights. In some cases, indicator light may include any light-emitting electronic component, including without limitation a light-emitting diode (LED). In some embodiments, handle 336 may include a battery level indicator, wherein the battery level indicator may show a battery status (e.g., remaining battery level) of hair drying device 100. Battery level indicator may allow the user to know when hair drying device 100 needs to be charged; for instance, and without limitation, battery level indicator may change the light from green to yellow to red as battery level decreases. For another example, and without limitation, battery level indicator may emit light while the hair drying device 100 is charging, and cease illumination when charging is complete. Battery level indicator may emit a first color of light while charging is occurring and a second color of light when charging is complete, may blink to indicate charging is currently occurring, or the like. Any suitable pattern of illumination in response to charging status of hair drying device 100 may be used.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, in another non-limiting example, display 152 may include a digital screen. In an embodiment, display 152 may be used to present one or more hair drying parameters. As used in this disclosure, “hair drying parameter” is a configuration of a setting or measurement that controls and/or monitors the drying process of user's hair using hair drying device 100. In an embodiment, hair drying parameter may include a temperature parameter, wherein the temperature parameter is a setting of the temperature of the flow generated by at least a fan via heating element (i.e., voltage or electrical current supplied to heating element) as described above. In another embodiment, hair drying parameter may include a speed parameter, wherein the speed parameter is a setting of the velocity of the flow generated by at least a fan (i.e., spinning speed of plurality of blades of at least a fan) as described above. In a further embodiment, hair drying parameter may include a duration parameter, wherein the duration parameter is a setting of the length of the hair drying process (i.e., using hair drying device 100). In a non-limiting example, display 152 may provide information about various settings of hair brushing device such as, without limitation, temperature, speed, duration, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively, display 152 may allow the user to select or adjust hair drying parameters (i.e., settings) of hair drying device 100. In a non-limiting example, user may select power on/off or various hair drying parameters of hair drying device 100 via display 152. Further, display 152 may provide notifications or alerts to the user; for instance, and without limitation, when hair drying device needs to be cleaned or when a maintenance task needs to be performed on one or more internal components as described above.
With further reference to FIG. 1, hair drying device 100 may include a cooling mechanism 156 configured to cool electric motor 104. In some embodiments, cooling mechanism 156 may include a heat pipe cooling system. As used in this disclosure, a “heat pipe cooling system” is a system that utilize one or more heat pipes to transfer heat away from electric motor 104 and dissipate transferred heat into surrounding environment, wherein the heat pipe is a passive heat transfer device that uses a sealed, evacuated tube filled with a working fluid to transfer heat from one location to another. In a non-limiting example, heat pipe cooling system may include one or more heat pipes that are mounted within shroud of electric motor 104 and in contact with the windings of electric motor or other heat generating components such as, without limitation, heating element as described below in this disclosure. As electric motor operates, heat may be generated within the windings, wherein such heat may be transferred to one or more heat pipes via conduction. Such heat dissipation of heat pipe cooling system may be used to regulate the temperature of electric motor 104 and/or other heat generating components.
Still referring to FIG. 1, additionally, or alternatively, cooling mechanism 156 of hair drying device 100 may further include a venturi-based cooling system. As used in this disclosure, a “venturi-based cooling system” is a system that utilizes a venturi effect to create a pressure differential that drives a flow (i.e., air flow) through a cooling device. In a non-limiting example, cooling device may include a series of fins or other heat dissipating structures that are exposed to the flow to transfer heat away from electric motor 104 and/or other heat generating components. A “venturi effect,” is a phenomenon that occurs when a fluid (i.e., air) flows through a constricted area of a pipe or channel resulting in a decrease in pressure, thereby increasing the velocity of airflow. In a non-limiting example, hair drying device 100 with venturi-based cooling system may force air through a narrow channel which creates a pressure differential that drives the air with increased velocity through cooling device. Persons skilled in the art will be aware, after reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, of different cooling mechanism 156 may be integrated within hair drying device 100 configured to dissipate heat explained herein.
Now referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a hair drying device 100 with a dual-fan system is illustrated. As used in this disclosure, a “dual-fan system” is a mechanical system that uses at least two fans to generate fluid flow such as, without limitation, airflow. Dual-fan system may include two or more fans that are arranged in a specific configuration to achieve a desired performance objective of hair drying device 300. In a non-limiting example, at least a fan 112 of hair drying device 300 may include a first fan 204 (i.e., fore blade) and a second fan 208 (i.e., aft blade), wherein both fans may be identical from at least a fan 112 as described above. In some cases, first fan 204 and second fan 208 may be disposed on either side of electric motor 104 of hair dryer device 304. In some embodiments, first fan and second fan may be arranged in a sequence on shaft 212 (e.g., drive shaft) of electric motor 104 at a distance. In such embodiment, dual-fan system may result in at least two fans being run at a lower revolution per minute (RPM) instead of a conventional RPM (e.g., 15,000 RPM); therefore, aids with noise reduction.
Additionally, or alternatively, and still referring to FIG. 2, gear 116 may be used to operate at least two fans of dual-fan system; for instance, and without limitation, at least two fans may attach to a same shaft connected to gear 116. In other cases, at least two fans of dual-fan system may operate separately; for instance, and without limitation, gear 116 may include a second gear connected to a separate shaft with second fan 208 attached. Electric motor 104 may be sandwiched between at least two fans. Further, plurality of blades of at least two fans may rotate bidirectionally (i.e., in different directions). In such embodiment, dual-fan system may aid with generating a more direct (i.e., straight) flow path.
Now referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of a right-angle gearing system 304 is illustrated. As used in this disclosure, a “right-angle gearing system” is a gear system that uses a set of gears to change the direction of rotation of electric motor 104 from vertical to horizontal, or vice versa. In some embodiments, right-angle gearing system 300 may allow electric motor 108 to be positioned in a way that is more ergonomic for the user of hair drying device 100, while still maintaining the desired orientation of at least a fan 112 and at least a heating element 120 as described above. Electric motor 104 may include a shroud 308, wherein the shroud may include a protective cover constructed from a sound dampening material as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Electric motor 104 may be disposed in handle 148 of middle housing 144 as described above with reference to FIG. 1.
With continued reference to FIG. 3, right-angle gearing system 304 includes an input gear element 312, wherein the input gear element 312 is mechanically coupled to distal end of stator shaft 316 as described above with reference to FIG. 1; for instance, and without limitation, input gear element 312 may be connected to distal end of stator shaft 316, while proximal end of stator shaft 316 may connect to rotor 320 with in stator of electric motor 104. Input gear element 312 may rotate as rotor 320 rotates. Right-angle gearing system 304 includes an output gear element 324, wherein the output gear element 324 is connected to distal end of drive shaft 328 as described above with reference to FIG. 1. At least a fan 122 may be located inside front housing 128 (i.e., barrel) as described above with reference to FIG. 1. The (vertical) output axis of electric motor 104 and the (horizontal) rotation axis of at least a fan 112 may set at an angle 332 such as a right angle (90 degrees). Continuing the non-limiting example, at least a fan 112 may rotate as output gear element 324/drive shaft 328 rotates, wherein the rotation of output gear element 324/drive shaft 328 may be driven by input gear element 312. Input gear element 312 may interact with output gear element 324; for instance, and without limitation, input gear element 312 may mesh with output gear element 324, causing output gear element 324 to rotate as well.
With continued reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, right-angle gearing system 304 may include gears with different sizes. In a non-limiting example, input gear element 312 may include a first diameter and output gear element 324 may include a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. In such embodiment, input gear element 312 (larger gear) may transmit more torque, while output gear element 324 (smaller gear) may transmit higher speeds. In other embodiments, right-angle gearing system 304 may include different shapes. In a non-limiting example, right-angle gearing system 304 may include bevel gears, wherein the bevel gears are gears with cone-shaped teeth that mesh with each other. In another non-limiting example, right-angle gearing system 304 may include hypoid gears, wherein the hypoid gears are gears with curved shape which allows them to transmit power at higher angle 332 or with a greater torque. Persons skilled in the art will be aware, after reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, of many different configuration of sizes and shapes of gears within right-angle gearing system that may be incorporated in hair drying device 100.
Additionally, or alternatively, and still referring to FIG. 3, input gear element 312/output gear element 324 may include a magnetic gear. As used in this disclosure, a “magnetic gear” is a type of gear that uses magnetic fields to transmit torque between two rotating components. In some embodiments, right-angle gearing system may include an air gap 336. An “air gap,” as described herein, refers to a distance between input gear element 312 and output gear element 324 where the magnetic fields interact with each other. In some cases, the size and geometry of air gap 336 may impact the strength of the magnetic field, flux density, torque transmission and the like between gears. In a non-limiting example, a larger air gap 336 may result in a weaker magnetic field and a lower torque transmission (i.e., a lower speed parameter); however, a smaller air gap may result in a stronger magnetic field and a higher torque transmission (i.e., a higher speed parameter). In some embodiments, air gap 336 may be controlled through various means; for instance, and without limitation, one or more spacers and/or shims may be used to adjust the distance between input gear element 312 and output gear element 324. In some embodiment, magnetic gears do not contact each other, and thus generate very little sound during operation. In some cases, right-angle gearing system 304 may be shrouded to further reduce noise.
With continued reference to FIG. 3, Both input gear element 312 and output gear element 324 may include a plurality of permanent magnets. As used in this disclosure, “permanent magnets” are objects made from materials that have a natural or induced magnetic field that persists even in the absence of an external magnetic field. For an example, and without limitation, permanent magnets are objects made from materials that are magnetized and create its own persistent magnetic field. Exemplary materials of permanent magnets may include, without limitation, neodymium (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), ferrite (Fe3O4), and the like. In a non-limiting example, as first gear 116 containing a first set of permanent magnets 340 rotates, first gear 116 may create a magnetic field that induces a corresponding magnetic field in output gear element 324 containing a second set of permanent magnets 344. Two magnetic fields then interact with each other, thereby causing output gear element 324 to rotate in the opposite direction from input gear element 312.
Still referring to FIG. 3, in some cases, the strength and configuration of magnetic fields created by input gear element 312/output gear element 324 may be controlled by the number, size, and orientation of first set of permanent magnets 340/second set of permanent magnets 344. In a non-limiting example, input gear element 312/output gear element 324 may include a circular gear with a plurality of magnetic pads (i.e., permanent magnets) oriented about an angled surface along the circumference of each gear. Plurality of permanent magnets may include an arrangement pattern. In an embodiment, and without limitation, plurality of permanent magnets may be arranged in a Halbach array, wherein the Halbach array is a type of magnet array that is designed to produce a uniform magnetic field on one side while canceling out the field on the other side; for instance, in Halbach array, each permanent magnet of plurality of permanent magnets may be oriented at a different angle so that the magnetic fields reinforce each other on one side and cancel out on the other side. In another embodiment, and without limitation, plurality of permanent magnets may be arranged according to concentric circles, wherein the concentric circles are a series of circles that share the same center point; for instance, plurality of permanent magnets may be arranged in concentric circles around rotor 320 to produce a uniform magnetic field. Right-angle gearing system 304 using magnetic gears may eliminate the need for lubrication and reduces wear and maintenance requirements, thereby improving durability and reliability, and reducing maintenance needs for hair drying device 100.
With further reference to FIG. 3, a filter 348 may be placed in rear housing 136 to prevent debris or other particles from air such as, without limitation, dust, hair, lint, and the like from entering middle housing 144 and interfering and/or damaging right-angle gearing system 304. Filter 348 may include any filter described in this disclosure such as, without limitation, mesh filter, pleated filter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter, and the like. In some embodiments, filter 348 may include a baffle, wherein the baffle may be configured to redirect incoming airflow and prevent debris from entering the system but does not impede incoming airflow.
Now referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary method 400 of manufacturing a hair drying device with a right-angle gearing system is illustrated. Method 400 includes a step 405 of connecting, by a stator shaft, an input gear element of a right angle gearing system to an electric motor located at a proximal end of the stator shaft. In some embodiments, the hair drying device may include a power source configured to provide electrical power to the electric motor and at least a heating element. In some embodiments, the electric motor may include a brushed DC motor. In some embodiments, the electric motor may include a shroud constructed from a sound dampening material. This may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference to FIGS. 1-3.
With continued reference to FIG. 4, method 400 includes a step 410 of connecting, by a drive shaft, an output gear element of the right angle gearing system to at least a fan located at a proximal end of the drive shaft, wherein the input gear element is perpendicular to the output gear element. In some embodiments, the input gear element and the output gear element may each include a magnetic gear containing a plurality of permanent magnets. In some embodiments, the plurality of permanent magnets may include an arrangement pattern. In some embodiments, the right-angle gearing system may include an air gap between the input gear element and the output gear element. In some embodiments, the at least a fan may include a first fan and a second fan, wherein the first fan and the second fan may be arranged in a sequence on the drive shaft. This may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference to FIGS. 1-3.
With continued reference to FIG. 4, method 400 includes a step 415 of housing, by a housing containing a barrel and a handle, the electric motor in the handle, and the at least a fan and at least a heating element in the barrel. In some embodiments, wherein the housing may include a middle housing, wherein the middle housing is configured to connect the barrel and the handle. In some embodiments, the electric motor and the right-angle gearing system may be disposed in the middle housing. This may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference to FIGS. 1-3.
It is to be noted that any one or more of the aspects and embodiments described herein may be conveniently implemented using one or more machines (e.g., one or more computing devices that are utilized as a user computing device for an electronic document, one or more server devices, such as a document server, etc.) programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the software art. Aspects and implementations discussed above employing software and/or software modules may also include appropriate hardware for assisting in the implementation of the machine executable instructions of the software and/or software module.
Such software may be a computer program product that employs a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium may be any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) and that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/or embodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disc (e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory “ROM” device, a random access memory “RAM” device, a magnetic card, an optical card, a solid-state memory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and any combinations thereof. A machine-readable medium, as used herein, is intended to include a single medium as well as a collection of physically separate media, such as, for example, a collection of compact discs or one or more hard disk drives in combination with a computer memory. As used herein, a machine-readable storage medium does not include transitory forms of signal transmission.
Such software may also include information (e.g., data) carried as a data signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example, machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signal embodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence of instruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) and any related information (e.g., data structures and data) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/or embodiments described herein.
Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, an electronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminal computer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g., a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing a sequence of instructions that specify an action to be taken by that machine, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a computing device may include and/or be included in a kiosk.
FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a computing device in the exemplary form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions for causing a control system to perform any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure may be executed. It is also contemplated that multiple computing devices may be utilized to implement a specially configured set of instructions for causing one or more of the devices to perform any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. Computer system 500 includes a processor 504 and a memory 508 that communicate with each other, and with other components, via a bus 512. Bus 512 may include any of several types of bus structures including, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, a local bus, and any combinations thereof, using any of a variety of bus architectures.
Processor 504 may include any suitable processor, such as without limitation a processor incorporating logical circuitry for performing arithmetic and logical operations, such as an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), which may be regulated with a state machine and directed by operational inputs from memory and/or sensors; processor 504 may be organized according to Von Neumann and/or Harvard architecture as a non-limiting example. Processor 504 may include, incorporate, and/or be incorporated in, without limitation, a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), general purpose GPU, Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), analog or mixed signal processor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a floating point unit (FPU), and/or system on a chip (SoC).
Memory 508 may include various components (e.g., machine-readable media) including, but not limited to, a random-access memory component, a read only component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a basic input/output system 516 (BIOS), including basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer system 500, such as during start-up, may be stored in memory 508. Memory 508 may also include (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media) instructions (e.g., software) 520 embodying any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In another example, memory 508 may further include any number of program modules including, but not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, program data, and any combinations thereof.
Computer system 500 may also include a storage device 524. Examples of a storage device (e.g., storage device 524) include, but are not limited to, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive in combination with an optical medium, a solid-state memory device, and any combinations thereof. Storage device 524 may be connected to bus 512 by an appropriate interface (not shown). Example interfaces include, but are not limited to, SCSI, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE), and any combinations thereof. In one example, storage device 524 (or one or more components thereof) may be removably interfaced with computer system 500 (e.g., via an external port connector (not shown)). Particularly, storage device 524 and an associated machine-readable medium 528 may provide nonvolatile and/or volatile storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data for computer system 500. In one example, software 520 may reside, completely or partially, within machine-readable medium 528. In another example, software 520 may reside, completely or partially, within processor 504.
Computer system 500 may also include an input device 532. In one example, a user of computer system 500 may enter commands and/or other information into computer system 500 via input device 532. Examples of an input device 532 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numeric input device (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, a gamepad, an audio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice response system, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, an optical scanner, a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a video camera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 532 may be interfaced to bus 512 via any of a variety of interfaces (not shown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallel interface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a direct interface to bus 512, and any combinations thereof. Input device 532 may include a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate from display 536, discussed further below. Input device 532 may be utilized as a user selection device for selecting one or more graphical representations in a graphical interface as described above.
A user may also input commands and/or other information to computer system 500 via storage device 524 (e.g., a removable disk drive, a flash drive, etc.) and/or network interface device 540. A network interface device, such as network interface device 540, may be utilized for connecting computer system 500 to one or more of a variety of networks, such as network 544, and one or more remote devices 548 connected thereto. Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a network associated with an office, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network, such as network 544, may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software 520, etc.) may be communicated to and/or from computer system 500 via network interface device 540.
Computer system 500 may further include a video display adapter 552 for communicating a displayable image to a display device, such as display device 536. Examples of a display device include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and any combinations thereof. Display adapter 552 and display device 536 may be utilized in combination with processor 504 to provide graphical representations of aspects of the present disclosure. In addition to a display device, computer system 500 may include one or more other peripheral output devices including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, and any combinations thereof. Such peripheral output devices may be connected to bus 512 via a peripheral interface 556. Examples of a peripheral interface include, but are not limited to, a serial port, a USB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallel connection, and any combinations thereof.
The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve methods, systems, and software according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.
Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20250031827
