1. A controller of a head unit in a vehicle, the controller configured to:
receive information regarding a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle;
determine whether or how to control operation of an app based on the current operation or the current environment of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining a type of app, wherein the type of app comprises whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle; and
control execution of the app by:
in response to determining that the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle, maintain execution of the app but modify at least one aspect of the execution of the app; and
in response to determining that the app is not controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle, halt execution of the app or change display of the app to a background of a display,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the head unit.
2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle and by determining a type of output of the app.
3. The controller of claim 2, wherein a type of output of the app comprises video;
wherein in response to determining that the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle and in response to determining that the type of output of the app comprises video, the controller is configured to discontinue updating images output to a display and to maintain output of audio; and
wherein in response to determining that the app is not controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle and in response to determining that the type of output of the app comprises video, the controller is configured to pause the video.
4. The controller of claim 2, wherein a type of output of the app comprises audio;
wherein the app comprises an Internet radio app;
wherein in response to determining that the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle and in response to determining that the type of output of the app comprises audio, the controller is configured to provide limited control of the Internet radio app and to maintain output of audio; and
wherein in response to determining that the app is not controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle and in response to determining that the type of output of the app comprises audio, the controller is configured to exclude control of the Internet radio app and to maintain output of audio.
5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle and by determining a type of input to the app.
6. The controller of claim 5, wherein a type of input to the app comprises text;
wherein in response to determining that the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle and in response to determining that the type of input to the app comprises text, the controller is configured to disable manual text entry; and
wherein in response to determining that the app is not controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle and in response to determining that the type of input to the app comprises text, the controller is configured to disable all text entry.
7. The controller of claim 1, wherein the information regarding the current environment comprises alert information received from Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS); and
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of an app by:
altering one or more metrics for the controller to control the app in response to the alert information received from the ADAS;
comparing the information regarding the current operation of the vehicle to the altered one or more metrics;
modify operation of the app based on comparing the information regarding the current operation of the vehicle to the altered one or more metrics; and
highlighting a condition of the vehicle on a road.
8. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining an output device for use with the app.
9. The controller of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining whether the output device is designated as a passenger display for display to a passenger of the vehicle or as a driver display for display to a driver of the vehicle.
10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine to control operation of the app in response to determining that the output device for use with the app is a driver display.
11. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining a type of alert.
12. The controller of claim 11, wherein the type of alert comprises an alert indicative of a predetermined speed of the vehicle.
13. The controller of claim 11, wherein the type of alert comprises an alert indicative of a catastrophic event for the vehicle.
14. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of an app dynamically.
15. The controller of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control the operation of the app based on one or more parameters; and
wherein the one or more parameters are updated dynamically.
16. A controller of a head unit of a vehicle, the controller configured to:
receive information regarding a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle;
determine whether or how to control operation of an app based on the current operation or the current environment of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining a type of app, wherein the type of app comprises whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle; and
execute the app,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the head unit, and
wherein the information regarding the current environment is received from an information service external to the vehicle and configured to indicate a specific road alert; and
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of an app by:
altering one or more metrics for the controller to control the app in response to the indicated specific road alert;
comparing the information regarding the current operation of the vehicle to the altered one or more metrics;
modify operation of the app based on comparing the information regarding the current operation of the vehicle to the altered one or more metrics; and
highlighting an emergency condition on the road.
17. A controller of a head unit of a vehicle, the controller configured to:
receive information regarding a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle;
determine whether or how to control operation of an app based on the current operation or the current environment of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by determining a type of app, wherein the type of app comprises whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle; and
execute the app,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the head unit,
wherein alert information regarding the current operation is received from a CAN bus; and
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or how to control operation of an app by:
altering one or more metrics for the controller to control the app in response to the alert information received from the CAN bus;
comparing the information regarding the current operation of the vehicle to the altered one or more metrics; and
modify operation of the app based on comparing the information regarding the current operation of the vehicle to the altered one or more metrics.
18. A controller of a head unit of a vehicle, the controller configured to:
receive information regarding a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle; and
dynamically determine whether or how to control operation of an app based on the current operation or the current environment of the vehicle and based on one or more parameters,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the head unit,
wherein the one or more parameters are updated dynamically, and
wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more updated parameters, the one or more updated parameters being based on monitoring of operations of apps in the controller, the monitoring of the operations of the apps being performed external to the head unit.
19. A controller of a head unit in a vehicle, the head unit in communication with a portable electronic device, the controller configured to:
receive information regarding a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle;
generate an alert, the alert indicative of the current operation or the current environment of the vehicle; and
send the alert to the portable electronic device, the alert used by the portable electronic device to determine whether or how to control operation of an app executed by the portable electronic device,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the portable electronic device,
wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smartphone in communication with the head unit of the vehicle,
wherein a type of app comprises whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle; and
wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether to communicate with the app depending on whether the app is controllable by the controller in order to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle.
20. The controller of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to determine not to communicate with the app if it is determined that the app is not controller by the controller to reduce distraction to the driver of the vehicle.
21. A smartphone comprising:
a transceiver;
a memory configured to store an app;
a processor in communication with the transceiver and the memory, the processor, in executing the app, being configured to:
request, via the transceiver, communication with a head unit of a vehicle;
receive, via the transceiver, an alert, the alert indicative of a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle; and
analyze the alert to determine whether or how to control operation of the app,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the smartphone, and
wherein the processor, in executing the app, is configured to request communication with the head unit by sending information as to a type of app, the type of app comprises whether the app is controllable by the head unit in order to reduce distraction to a driver of the vehicle.
22. A smartphone comprising:
a transceiver;
a memory configured to store an app;
a processor in communication with the transceiver and the memory, the processor, in executing the app, being configured to:
request, via the transceiver, communication with a head unit of a vehicle;
receive, via the transceiver, an alert, the alert indicative of a current operation or a current environment of the vehicle; and
analyze the alert to determine whether or how to control operation of the app,
wherein the app comprises a software application downloaded from a server to the smartphone, and
wherein the processor, in executing the app, is configured to analyze the alert to determine whether or how to control operation of the app by:
determining whether the alert indicates a speed of the vehicle; and
modifying operation of the app based on the speed of the vehicle.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of refining a first and a second layer of a workpiece, each having an effect on a cost of manufacture of the workpiece, the method comprising:
applying a first refining energy to the first layer of the workpiece for a first layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the first layer refining;
determining a change for an at least one first layer control parameter \u201cA\u201d using an at least one tracked information related to the workpiece and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the first layer refining;
controlling the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d to change a first workpiece surface with an at least one operative controller for the first layer refining;
storing for future availability a stored information related to the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d, the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece;
applying a second refining energy to the second layer of the workpiece having an at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d for a second layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the second layer refining;
determining a change for the at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d using the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece, and the in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the second layer refining;
controlling the at least one second layer process control parameter \u201cB\u201d to change a second workpiece surface with an at least one operative controller for the second layer refining; and
using at least in part an at least one process model during the method and wherein the method makes an appreciable change to the cost of manufacture of the workpiece.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of applying a first refining energy and applying a second refining energy comprises applying at least one electrochemical energy for adding a material or applying at least one electrochemical energy for removing the material.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part an at least one process model for a feedforward and a feedback control during the method.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of applying a first refining energy or applying a second refining energy comprises applying an at least one electrochemical energy for removing a material and wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model for an at least one process control during the method.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model and at least in part an empirically based process model for an at least one process control during the method.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein an at least one of applying a first refining energy or applying a second refining energy comprises applying at least two different independent refining energies.
7. A method of refining a first and a second layer of a workpiece, each having an effect on a cost of manufacture of the workpiece, the method comprising:
applying a first refining energy to the first layer of the workpiece for a first layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the first layer refining;
determining a change for an at least one first layer control parameter \u201cA\u201d using an at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, an at least one tracked quality information related to the first layer refining, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the first layer refining;
controlling the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d to change a first workpiece surface during the first layer refining of the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative controller for the first layer refining;
storing for future availability a stored information related to the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d, the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the at least one tracked quality information related to the first layer refining, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece;
applying a second refining energy to the second layer of the workpiece having an at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d for a second layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the second layer refining;
determining a change for the at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d using the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece, the at least one tracked quality information related to the first layer refining, an at least one tracked quality information related to the second layer refining, and the in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the second layer refining;
controlling the at least one second layer process control parameter \u201cB\u201d to change a second workpiece surface during the second layer refining of the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative controller for the second layer refining; and
using at least in part an at least one process model during the method and wherein the method makes an appreciable change to the cost of manufacture of the workpiece.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein at least one of applying a first refining energy and applying a second refining energy comprises applying at least one electrochemical energy for adding a material or applying at least one electrochemical energy for removing the material; and additionally comprising:
using a refining element having a refining element identification code during the method.
9. The method according to claim 7 wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part an at least one process model for a feedforward and a feedback control during the method.
10. The method according to claim 7 wherein at least one of applying a first refining energy or applying a second refining energy comprises applying an at least one electrochemical energy for removing a material and wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model for an at least one process control during the method.
11. The method according to claim 7 wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model and at least in part an empirically based process model for an at least one process control during the method.
12. The method according to claim 7 wherein an at least one of applying a first refining energy or applying a second refining energy comprises applying at least two different independent refining energies.
13. A method of refining a first and a second layer of a workpiece, each having an effect on a cost of manufacture of the workpiece, the method comprising:
applying a first refining energy to the first layer of the workpiece for a first layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the first layer refining;
determining a change for an at least one first layer control parameter \u201cA\u201d using an at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, an at least one tracked refining rate information related to the first layer refining, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the first layer refining;
controlling the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d to change a first workpiece surface during the first layer refining of the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative controller for the first layer refining;
storing for future availability a stored information related to the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d, the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the at least one tracked refining rate information related to the first layer refining, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece;
applying a second refining energy to the second layer of the workpiece having an at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d for a second layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the second layer refining;
determining a change for the at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d using the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece, the at least one tracked refining rate information related to the first layer refining, an at least one tracked refining rate information related to the second layer refining, and the in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the second layer refining;
controlling the at least one second layer process control parameter \u201cB\u201d to change a second workpiece surface during the second layer refining of the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative controller for the second layer refining; and
using at least in part an at least one process model during the method and wherein the method makes an appreciable change to the cost of manufacture of the workpiece.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least one of applying a first refining energy and applying a second refining energy comprises applying at least one electrochemical energy for adding a material or applying at least one electrochemical energy for removing the material; and additionally comprising:
using a refining element having a refining element identification code during the method.
15. The method according to claim 13 wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part an at least one process model for a feedforward and a feedback control during the method.
16. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least one of applying a first refining energy or applying a second refining energy comprises applying an at least one electrochemical energy for removing a material and wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model for an at least one process control during the method.
17. The method according to claim 13 wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model and at least in part an empirically based process model for an at least one process control during the method.
18. The method according to claim 13 wherein an at least one of applying a first refining energy or applying a second refining energy comprises applying at least two different independent refining energies.
19. A method of refining a first and a second layer of a workpiece, each having an effect on a cost of manufacture of the workpiece, the method comprising:
applying a first refining process to the first layer of the workpiece for a first layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the first layer refining;
determining a change for an at least one first layer control parameter \u201cA\u201d using an at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, an at least one tracked refining rate information related to the first layer refining, an at least one tracked quality information related to the first layer refining, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the first layer refining;
controlling the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d to change a first workpiece surface during the first layer refining of the first layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative controller for the first layer refining;
storing for future availability a stored information related to the at least one first layer process control parameter \u201cA\u201d, the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the at least one tracked refining rate information related to the first layer refining, the at least one tracked quality information related to the first layer refining, and the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece;
applying a second refining process to the second layer of the workpiece having an at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d for a second layer refining;
sensing an in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative sensor for the second layer refining;
determining a change for the at least one second layer control parameter \u201cB\u201d using the at least one tracked information related to the workpiece, the in situ process information for the first layer of the workpiece, the at least one tracked refining rate information related to the first layer refining, the at least one tracked quality information related to the first layer refining, an at least one tracked refining rate information related to the second layer refining, an at least one tracked quality information related to the second layer refining, and the in situ process information for the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one processor for the second layer refining;
controlling the at least one second layer process control parameter \u201cB\u201d to change a second workpiece surface during the second layer refining of the second layer of the workpiece with an at least one operative controller for the second layer refining; and
using at least in part an at least one process model during the method and wherein the method makes an appreciable change to the cost of manufacture of the workpiece.
20. The method according to claim 19 additionally comprising:
storing a tracked historical information related to individual workpieces;
evaluating the tracked historical information including process control parameters;
developing a new process control for a commercial manufacture; and
using the new process control for the first layer refining or the second layer refining.
21. The method according to claim 19 wherein an at least one of applying a first refining process or applying a second refining process comprises applying at least two different independent refining energies.
22. The method according to claim 19 additionally comprising:
using a refining element having a refining element identification code during the method.
23. The method according to claim 19 wherein at least one of applying a first refining process or applying a second refining process comprises applying an at least one electrochemical energy for removing a material and wherein using an at least one process model comprises using at least in part a first principles process model for an at least one process control during the method.
24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the workpiece comprises a semiconductor wafer and wherein an at least one of applying a first refining process or applying a second refining process comprises applying at least two different independent refining energies; and additionally comprising:
using a refining element having a refining element identification code during the method.
25. The method according to claim 19 wherein the workpiece comprises a semiconductor wafer having a low-k layer having a k value of at most 3.0 and having a diameter of at least 300 millimeters; additionally comprising:
using a refining element having a refining element identification code during the method.