Patent Application
20250206422
This invention relates generally to the underwater breathing field, and more specifically to a new and useful system in the underwater breathing field.
The following description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.
As shown in
As shown in
In an illustrative example, the system can include a stimulant mechanism 500 fluidly connected to an air tank 100 pressurized at an air pressure (e.g., above 3000 psi) and to a first stage regulator 200 of a scuba system. The stimulant mechanism 500 can be configured to release a stimulant into an air channel fluidly connected to the air tank 100 and the first stage regulator 200 when the diver descends beneath a threshold depth (e.g., detected using the ambient pressure) and when the air tank 100 is depleted of air such that the air channel pressure falls below an air pressure threshold value. In the illustrative example, selective release of the stimulant can be controlled by two valves in series: an ambient pressure valve 10 and an air pressure valve 20. The ambient pressure valve 10 can open when the ambient pressure (e.g., the pressure of the water) exceeds an ambient pressure threshold (e.g. 17.5 psi), which indicates that the diver has descended beneath a threshold under which running out of oxygen is a high concern. The air pressure valve 20 can open when the air pressure in the tank and/or air channel falls below an air pressure threshold value (e.g., 750 psi). Thus, the stimulant can be released only when both valves have been opened. In this illustrative example, stimulant can be stored in a replaceable, single-use stimulant container 520 which is optionally fixed to the ambient pressure valve 10 and removably attached to the air pressure valve 20. In this illustrative example, the stimulant can be an aerosolized liquid stimulant which is carried through the scuba regulator system (e.g., the first stage regulator 200, air hose 300, and second stage regulator 400400) by airflow from the air tank 100 to the diver's respiratory system (e.g., via the diver's mouth and/or nose). However, the system can be otherwise configured.
Variants of the technology can confer one or more advantages over conventional technologies.
First, variants of the technology can reduce distractions for a diver. Air pressure monitoring is a critical task for divers, who also have to monitor their depth, location, temperature, and other metrics while also keeping track of underwater terrain, wildlife, and other divers. In a specific example, the air pressure gauge can be removed from the scuba regulator system. The usage of an inhalable stimulant to signal low air pressure means divers can focus on other important tasks without any anxiety of running out of air.
Second, variants of the technology can keep divers safe by actively notifying them of their air supply rather than simply passively displaying information. This can prevent distracted divers who forget to continuously monitor their air pressure from diving too deep for too long. Additionally, the usage of a stimulant mechanism is a “silent” form of alert as opposed to an alarm, which minimizes disturbance of wildlife and other divers.
However, further advantages can be provided by the system and method disclosed herein.
As shown in
The air tank 100 can function to retain pressurized air during a dive. The air tank 100 can be steel, aluminum, and/or any other material or combination of materials. The system can preferably include one air tank 100 but can alternatively include any other suitable number of air tanks 100. In variants with multiple air tanks 100, different air tanks 100 can contain different substances. The air tank 100 can be filled with air, oxygenated air, scented air (e.g., with a stimulant already in the tank), and/or any other suitable gas. The air tank 100 is preferably pressurized to an air pressure which can be 3000 psi, 4000 psi, 2000 psi, 1000 psi, 750 psi, 500 psi, 200 psi, within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or at any other suitable range. The air tank 100 can include one or more air tank openings. The air tank openings can include any kind of removable connection mechanism, including internal and/or external threads. However, the air tank 100 can be alternatively configured.
The first stage regulator 200 can function to maintain constant air pressure in the hose (e.g., at an air hose pressure) and prevent leakage from the tank. The first stage regulator 200 can include an primary air inlet, (e.g., a connection facilitating fluid flow from the air tank 100 and/or stimulant mechanism 500 into the first stage), a primary air outlet (e.g., a connection facilitating fluid flow from the first stage regulator 200 into an air hose 300 and/or into a stimulant mechanism 500), a gauge outlet (e.g., facilitating fluid flow from the first stage regulator 200 to a pressure gauge), and/or any other suitable inlet or outlet. Any of the stimulant mechanism inlets and/or outlets (e.g., openings) can include a fixed or removable connection mechanism (e.g., internal and/or external threads configured to mate with the air tank 100, air hose 300, stimulant mechanism 500, and/or other system components). Examples of removable connection mechanisms include internal threads, external threads, clamp couplings, grooved couplings, twist-lock fittings, compression fittings, and/or any other suitable type of removable connection mechanisms. The first stage regulator 200 can be integrated into the stimulant mechanism 500 (e.g., as one combined part) but can alternatively be separate from the stimulant mechanism 500. The pressure at the primary air inlet can preferably be the air pressure but can alternatively be any other suitable pressure. The pressure at the primary air outlet can preferably be the air hose pressure but can alternatively be any other suitable pressure. In a variant, the first stage regulator 200 can include multiple pressure substages. The first stage regulator 200 can control the pressure drop through a piston mechanism, a diaphragm mechanism, and/or any other suitable mechanism. However, the first stage regulator 200 can be otherwise configured.
The air hose 300 can function to facilitate airflow between the first stage regulator 200 and the second stage regulator 400. The air hose pressure can be 100 psi, 120 psi, 140 psi, 160 psi, 180 psi, 200 psi, and/or any other suitable pressure value. In a variant, the air hose pressure is constant (e.g., does not change by more than 1 psi) until the air channel pressure falls below the air hose pressure. The air hose 300 can be 2inches, 5 inches, 1 foot, 2 feet, 4 feet, 6 feet, 100 feet, within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or within any other suitable range. The air hose 300 can include an inlet and an outlet. The air hose 300 inlet can be preferably connected to the first stage regulator outlet but can alternatively connect to the stimulant mechanism outlet, air tank 100, and/or any other suitable system component. The air hose 300 outlet can preferably be connected to the second stage regulator 400 but can alternatively be connected to the first stage regulator 200, stimulant mechanism 500, air tank 100, and/or any other system component. The air hose 300 inner wall can be coated with an anti-fouling coating (e.g., to protect the stimulant from collecting on the air hose). However, the air hose 300 can be otherwise configured.
The second stage regulator 400 can function to provide air at an ambient pressure to the diver during inhalation and can exhaust air during exhalation. The second stage can include an inlet fluidly connected to the air hose 300, stimulant mechanism 500, and/or another suitable system component. The second stage inlet can open responsive to a pressure drop in the second stage regulator 400 (e.g., during inhalation) but can alternatively open responsive to any other suitable condition. The second stage regulator 400 can include an exhalation outlet which can open responsive to a pressure increase in the second stage regulator 400 (e.g., during exhalation) but can alternatively open at any other suitable time. The second stage can include a mouthpiece but can alternatively be fluidly connected to a mouthpiece (e.g., via the stimulant mechanism 500). Connections between the second stage regulator 400 and other system components can use any suitable fixed or removable connection mechanism. The second stage regulator 400 can be integrated into the stimulant mechanism 500 (e.g., as one combined part) but can alternatively be separate from the stimulant mechanism 500.
The stimulant mechanism 500 can function to introduce a stimulant into airflow through the system responsive to a stimulant condition. The stimulant mechanism 500 can include a stimulant container 520, a stimulant release mechanism (e.g., a set of valves), an inlet, and/or an outlet. The stimulant mechanism 500 can be a single part, two parts (e.g., a stimulant vessel and a stimulant mechanism base; example shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the stimulant mechanism 500 is arranged between the air tank 100 and the first stage regulator 200 (e.g., as shown in
The stimulant mechanism 500 can be located: between the air tank 100 and the first stage regulator 200, between the first stage regulator 200 and the air hose 300 (e.g., example shown in
The stimulant can function to alert the diver to a stimulant condition (e.g., low air pressure in the air tank 100). The stimulant can take any suitable form. In a first variant, stimulant is stored in solid form (e.g., a chunk). In a second variant, the stimulant can be suspended in a liquid (e.g., a paste). In a third variant, stimulant can be powdered. In a fourth variant, stimulant can be stored in liquid form. In a fifth variant, stimulant can be suspended in a gas. In a sixth variant, stimulant can be a gas. In a seventh variant, stimulant can be embedded in a system component material (e.g., in the wall of the air hose 300). The stimulant can be water-based, alcohol-based, oil-based and/or can use any other suitable base. The stimulant can include a suspended chemical, dissolved chemical, chemical mixture, and/or any other suitable form of chemical stimulant. The stimulant can be a flavor, a scent, and/or can target any other suitable sense. Examples of stimulant “flavors” (e.g., flavors, scents, etc.) include hot chocolate, pepper, vanilla, musk, skunk odor, and/or any other suitable flavor. Alternatively, stimulants can be unflavored (e.g., aerosolized water). The stimulant can alternatively be a chemical which induces a specific bodily response in a diver. Examples of stimulants which induce bodily responses include energizing stimulants, relaxing stimulants, anti-nausea stimulants, medicines, (e.g., steroids, albuterol, nitric oxide, etc.) and/or other types of stimulants. Stimulants can induce a specific reaction (e.g., ammonium chloride can revive an unconscious diver) but can alternatively not induce a reaction in the diver. Stimulants can be mixed based on environmental conditions (e.g., ambient pressure), information about the diver, information about system components (e.g., air tank pressure), and/or information about the dive. Stimulants can be inserted into the stimulant container 520 and/or can be integrated into a system component (e.g., into the first stage regulator 200).
The stimulant mechanism 500 can include a stimulant container 520 which functions to retain stimulant during a dive. The stimulant container 520 can be a vessel integrated with the stimulant mechanism 500, a filter, an enclosed pod, a pod with a set of openings (e.g., outlets), and/or any other type of container. The stimulant container 520 can seal the stimulant from water (e.g., in a waterproof chamber) and/or can selectively introduce water into the stimulant (e.g., where the stimulant is water-activated or hydrated). The stimulant container 520 can pressurize stimulant (e.g., at the air pressure, at the air hose pressure, at a stimulant container pressure, and/or another suitable pressure). Examples of a stimulant container pressure include 150 psi, 200 psi, 300 psi, 400 psi, 500 psi, 700 psi, 750 psi, 800 psi, 1000 psi, within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or at any other suitable range. The stimulant container 520 can include a heating and/or cooling element (e.g., for heat-activated stimulants). The stimulant container 520 can be in series with the stimulant channel 530 and/or can be in a branch off the stimulant channel 530. The stimulant container 520 can include a stimulant container outlet and/or a stimulant container inlet (e.g., a refill valve which does not define the stimulant channel 530; the refill valve can be accessible from the outside of the stimulant mechanism 500). Each stimulant container 520 can include one or more doses of stimulant. The stimulant container 520 can include a dose adjustment mechanism, which can be manual or automatic. Examples of a manual dose adjustment mechanism include a knob, switch, dial, and/or other suitable forms of manual adjustment. Examples of automatic dose adjustment include a solenoid valve connected to a controller 600 (e.g., example shown in
The stimulant release mechanism can function to facilitate the release of stimulant into the air channel. The stimulant release mechanism can be located in any suitable position. In a first variant, the stimulant release mechanism can be located between the stimulant container 520 and the air channel. In a second variant, the stimulant release mechanism can be located in the air channel upstream or downstream of the stimulant. In a third variant, the stimulant release mechanism can be embedded in the stored stimulant. However, the stimulant release mechanism can be located in any other suitable position.
The stimulant release mechanism can use air redirection, direct aerosolizing methods, passive methods, heating methods, and/or other suitable stimulant release methods. In a first air redirection variant, a valve can redirect air into a channel containing the stimulant (e.g., wherein the air aerosolizes some stimulant). In a second air redirection variant, a valve can redirect the air source of the stimulant release mechanism to a different air tank 100 (e.g., a backup tank with an interior coating of stimulant). In a third variant, a valve can open to a second channel not in series with the air channel. In an example of this variant, a stored stimulant within the second channel is heated to emit aerosolized or gaseous stimulant into the air channel. Air redirection can be actively controlled and/or passively controlled (e.g., using check valves). Direct aerosolizing methods can include using a sprayer, using a nebulizer, powder dispersion (e.g., dispensing powder into the airstream), electrostatic dispersion, rotary atomization, and/or other suitable direct aerosolizing methods. For solid stimulants, direct aerosolizing methods can include breaking off particles with a pressurized air jet, a shaker, a vibrator, a grater, by compressing the stimulant through a mesh, and/or other methods for breaking off particles. In a preferred embodiment, the direct aerosolizing method can be forcing the stimulant through an atomizing nozzle connecting the stimulant channel 530 to the air channel. Passive methods for aerosolization include flowing air over a stimulant, flowing air through a stimulant, and/or other methods for aerosolization. Heating methods can include evaporating a liquid, melting a solid (e.g., releasing entrained stimulant within a meltable solid), and/or other heating methods. The heating system can additionally maintain a storage temperature before the stimulant condition is met. The heating system can use energy from a battery, body heat, and/or another suitable energy source. The stimulant mechanism 500 can use pressure from the stimulant container 520 and/or ambient pressure to drive aerosolization. However, the stimulant mechanism 500 can aerosolize stimulant by any other suitable means.
The stimulant mechanism 500 can control the flow of stimulant using valves. Valves can function to control the flow of stimulant from the stimulant container 520 through the stimulant channel 530 to the air channel. Valves can be directly or indirectly communicatively connected to the controller 600, sensors, other valves, and/or other system components. Valves can be actuated manually and/or can be actuated through electrical controls and/or pressure conditions (e.g., passively). Examples of valves include a check valve (e.g., example shown in
For valves which open and close based on pressure thresholds (e.g., ambient pressure valve 10, air pressure valve 20, pressure drop valve, etc.), the pressure thresholds can change based on ambient pressure, air pressure, ambient pressure rate of change, diver weight, diver heart rate, stimulant type, diver experience level, location, time of day, a proximity of other wearable stimulant alert systems, and/or other suitable factors. In an example, the air pressure threshold value can increase to 500 psi when the ambient pressure is above 20 psi and/or when other variables satisfy other conditions. In a second example, for a valve which opens responsive to a pressure change exceeding a pressure change threshold value, the pressure change threshold value can increase when the air channel pressure increases). Thresholds can change manually, mechanically, and/or can be recalculated by a controller 600. In a specific example, a controller 600 uses a model trained on data (e.g., air pressure, ambient pressure, heart rate, etc.) from prior dives to predict a threshold value based on information relating to the current dive. Any model can optionally be validated, verified, reinforced, calibrated, or otherwise updated based on newly received, up-to-date measurements; past measurements recorded during the operating session; historic measurements recorded during past operating sessions; or be updated based on any other suitable data. Any model can optionally be run or updated: once; at a predetermined frequency; every time the method is performed; every time an unanticipated measurement value is received; or at any other suitable frequency. Any model can optionally be run or updated: in response to determination of an actual result differing from an expected result; or at any other suitable frequency. Any model can optionally be run or updated concurrently with one or more other models, serially, at varying frequencies, or at any other suitable time. However, the thresholds can be set, reset, and/or changed based on any other suitable information and/or condition.
The stimulant release mechanism can release stimulant into the diver's air supply (e.g., the air tank 100, air channel, air hose 300, etc.) responsive to any suitable stimulant condition.
In a first variant, the stimulant condition is a pressure drop (e.g., example shown in
In a second variant, the stimulant condition can be a dive time threshold being exceeded. In a first example, the dive time threshold can be based on the time the diver enters the water. In a second example, the dive time threshold can be based on when the diver starts breathing from the scuba system. In a third example, the dive time threshold can be based on when the user manually starts a timer. Examples of dive time thresholds can be 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 55 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or at any other suitable range. However, the stimulant condition can use any other suitable dive time threshold.
In a third variant, the stimulant condition can be a signal received from a system not attached to the diver. In a first example of this variant, the stimulant condition can be a signal from a transmitter at the surface of the water (e.g., a transmitter controlled by a boat crew instructing the diver to surface). In a second example of this variant, the stimulant condition can be a signal from another diver (e.g., a manually-or automatically-triggered signal on a different diver's scuba system). The signal could represent the other diver's air tank 100 crossing a threshold pressure, the other diver's stimulant mechanism activating, and/or any other suitable signal. However, the stimulant condition can be any other suitable type of signal.
In a fourth variant, the stimulant condition can be the ambient environment (e.g., the water surrounding the diver, the air surrounding the diver) reaching an ambient environment threshold condition. A first example of an ambient environment threshold condition is an ambient pressure condition (e.g., ambient pressure exceeding 18 psi, 19 psi, 20 psi, 25 psi, 30 psi, 35 psi, 45 psi, 55 psi, within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or at any other suitable range). A second example of an ambient environment threshold condition is an ambient pressure rate of change condition (e.g., ambient pressure decreasing or increasing at a rate of 1 psi/minute, 5 psi/minute, 10 psi/minute, 20 psi/minute, 30 psi/minute, 40 psi/minute, 60 psi/minute within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or at any other suitable range). However, the stimulant condition can be the ambient environment reaching any other suitable condition.
In a fifth variant, the stimulant condition can be when a biometric value (e.g., heart rate, blood oxygen concentration, blood pressure, etc.) falls below a threshold biometric value. However, the stimulant condition can be any other suitable biometric value crossing a threshold condition.
In a sixth variant, the stimulant condition can be a combination of variables meeting a threshold condition and/or a combination of stimulant conditions (e.g., air pressure falling below an air pressure threshold and ambient pressure exceeding an ambient pressure threshold). In a first example of this variant, the stimulant condition can be the air channel pressure and ambient pressure cooperatively meeting a threshold condition (e.g., crossing a 3D curve representing a safe relationship between ambient pressure and air pressure). In a second example of this variant, a machine learning model can determine a level of diver risk based on body weight, experience level, air channel pressure, ambient pressure, stimulant type, proximity of other iterations of the system, diver heart rate, diver location, time of day, and/or any other suitable condition and can instruct the stimulant mechanism 500 to release stimulant when the level of diver risk crosses a threshold risk value. However, the stimulant condition can be any combination of any other suitable variables.
The stimulant mechanism can stop releasing stimulant responsive after a predetermined duration (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.), responsive to a manual shutoff switch being triggered, when the stimulant container 520 is empty, when a predetermined percentage of the stimulant has been released (e.g., 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%, 95%, 99%, etc.), when the stimulant condition is no longer met (e.g., when the diver rises in the water and the ambient pressure decreases), and/or responsive to another stimulant condition. The stimulant mechanism 500 can stop releasing stimulant by closing a valve (e.g., when the stimulant condition is no longer met); however the stimulant mechanism 500 can stop releasing stimulant by any other suitable mechanism. However, the stimulant mechanism 500 can stop releasing stimulant at any suitable time.
The stimulant mechanism 500 can include a float (e.g., an element with a density less than the density of water) which can function to orient the aerosolizing mechanism in a particular direction to enable stimulant flow through the aerosolizing mechanism). The density of the float can be 200 kg/m3, 400 kg/m3, 500 kg/m3, 700 kg/m3, 800 kg/m3, 900 kg/m3, 990 kg/m3, 997 kg/m3, within any open or closed range bounded by any of the aforementioned values, and/or at any other suitable range.
The stimulant mechanism 500 can be powered by a battery (e.g., a battery attached to the stimulant mechanism 500 and/or a battery attached to the diver), or the stimulant mechanism 500 can alternatively be passive. However, the stimulant mechanism 500 can be otherwise powered.
The system can include multiple stimulant mechanisms in parallel and/or in series (e.g., as shown in
However, the stimulant mechanism 500 can be otherwise configured.
The system can include a controller 600 which functions to control the flow of stimulant within the stimulant. The controller 600 can include a processor or set of processors. The controller 600 can preferably be attached to the controller 600 but can alternatively be remote from the controller (e.g., floating in the water or on solid ground). The controller 600 can be communicatively connected to a remote control system (e.g., on a boat, on land), other controllers (e.g., of other divers or specific system components), and/or other suitable endpoints. The controller 600 can send and/or receive information via wired or wireless communication protocols. The controller 600 can use acoustic communication (e.g., frequency-shift keying, phase-shift keying, etc.). The controller 600 can control electrically-actuated valves, pumps, and/or other system components. In a first variant, the controller 600 can control a valve connecting the stimulant container 520 to the air channel to open. In a second variant, the controller 600 can control a pump which generates an aerosolizing force to aerosolize a stimulant into an air channel. The controller 600 can be powered by the same battery or a different battery as the stimulant mechanism 500. In an example, when the stimulant mechanism 500 on a different iteration of the system releases stimulant into the air channel of the other iteration of the system, the controller 600 can instruct the stimulant mechanism 500 on the present iteration of the system to release stimulant. In a second example, the controller 600 can calculate the difference in different ambient pressure measurements taken by the same ambient pressure sensor, can determine whether a pressure change threshold value has been exceeded, and can send a signal to a second stimulant mechanism 700 to release a second stimulant into the air channel responsive to the pressure change exceeding the pressure change threshold value. However, the controller 600 can be otherwise configured.
The system can include sensors which function to collect information about the diver, air supply, and/or ambient environment. Examples of sensors include heart rate sensors, blood pressure sensors, body temperature sensors, buoyancy control device pressure sensors, air pressure sensors, air composition sensors, temperature sensors, air flow rate sensors, ambient pressure sensors, and/or any other suitable type of sensor. Sensors can be communicatively connected to the stimulant mechanism 500, valves, controller 600, and/or any other suitable system component and/or any other iteration of the system. Sensors can be located in the air tank 100, first stage regulator 200, air hose 300, second stage regulator 400, scuba mask, ambient environment, on the diver's body, and/or in any other suitable location. However, the system's sensors can be otherwise configured.
However, the system can be otherwise configured.
The method functions to alert a diver when a stimulant condition is met during a dive. The method can include pressurizing air to a tank pressure S100, moving the air at the tank pressure to an air hose 300 at the air hose pressure S200, moving the air at the air hose pressure to a mouthpiece S300, expelling the air from the mouthpiece S400, and injecting stimulant into the air responsive to a stimulant condition and/or a signal from a controller. The method is preferably performed by components of the system described above but can alternatively be performed by any other suitable system.
Pressurizing air to a tank pressure S100 functions to compress diver supply air into a transportable tank. S100 can be performed by a pump. In a variant, S100 can be performed while the stimulant mechanism 500 is attached to the air tank 100 and while the first stage regulator 200 is attached to the stimulant mechanism 500. In this variant, air flows from the pump through the stimulant mechanism 500 and into the air tank 100 without the stimulant mechanism 500 releasing stimulant into the air. In an example of this variant in which the stimulant mechanism 500 includes an ambient pressure valve 10 and an air pressure valve 20, the air pressure valve's threshold condition for opening is met but the ambient pressure valve's condition for opening is not met during S100. However, pressurizing air to a tank pressure S100 can be alternatively performed.
Moving the air at the tank pressure to an air hose 300 at an air hose pressure S200 functions to facilitate airflow from the tank into the air hose 300 while substantially maintaining the pressure within the air hose 300. S200 is preferably performed by the first stage regulator 200 which reduces the pressure of air as it flows from the air tank 100 into the air hose 300. However moving air at the tank pressure to an air hose 300 at an air hose pressure S200 can be alternatively performed.
Moving the air at the air hose pressure to a mouthpiece S300 functions to provide the diver with breathable air at an ambient pressure (e.g., the same pressure as the water surrounding the diver). S300 is preferably performed by the second stage regulator 400 which reduces the pressure of air as it flows from the air tank 100 into the mouthpiece. S300 can be triggered by the diver inhaling, which can reduce the pressure of the air within the mouthpiece, causing a negative pressure difference between the ambient environment and the mouthpiece. However, S300 can be otherwise performed.
Expelling air from the mouthpiece S400 can function to remove exhaled air from the mouthpiece. S400 is preferably performed by the second stage regulator 400, which can open an exhaust port responsive to the pressure of air in the mouthpiece exceeding ambient pressure (e.g., when the diver exhales). However, expelling air from the mouthpiece can be otherwise performed.
Injecting stimulant into the airflow S500 can function to alert the diver that the stimulant condition has been met. S500 can occur before, during, or after any suitable step in the method. Preferably S500 occurs between S100 and S200 or between S200 and S300. However, S500 can occur at any other suitable time. S500 can be performed responsive to a stimulant condition and/or a signal from a controller 600. S500 is preferably performed by the stimulant mechanism 500 within an air channel cooperatively defined by the air tank 100, stimulant mechanism 500, and first stage regulator 200. S500 can be performed actively or passively. However, S500 can be otherwise performed.
All or portions of the method can be performed in real time (e.g., responsive to a request), iteratively, concurrently, asynchronously, periodically, and/or at any other suitable time. All or portions of the method can be performed automatically, manually, semi-automatically, and/or otherwise performed.
Different subsystems and/or modules discussed above can be operated and controlled by the same or different entities. In the latter variants, different subsystems can communicate via: APIs (e.g., using API requests and responses, API keys, etc.), requests, and/or other communication channels. Communications between systems can be encrypted (e.g., using symmetric or asymmetric keys), signed, and/or otherwise authenticated or authorized.
Alternative embodiments implement the above methods and/or processing modules in non-transitory computer-readable media, storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processing system, cause the processing system to perform the method(s) discussed herein. The instructions can be executed by computer-executable components integrated with the computer-readable medium and/or processing system. The computer-readable medium may include any suitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives, non-transitory computer readable media, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component can include a computing system and/or processing system (e.g., including one or more collocated or distributed, remote or local processors) connected to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as CPUs, GPUs, TPUS, microprocessors, or ASICs, but the instructions can alternatively or additionally be executed by any suitable dedicated hardware device.
Embodiments of the system and/or method can include every combination and permutation of the various system components and the various method processes, wherein one or more instances of the method and/or processes described herein can be performed asynchronously (e.g., sequentially), contemporaneously (e.g., concurrently, in parallel, etc.), or in any other suitable order by and/or using one or more instances of the systems, elements, and/or entities described herein. Components and/or processes of the following system and/or method can be used with, in addition to, in lieu of, or otherwise integrated with all or a portion of the systems and/or methods disclosed in the applications mentioned above, each of which are incorporated in their entirety by this reference.
As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/612,723 filed 20 Dec. 2023, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63612723 | Dec 2023 | US |
