Abstract: An antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a circuit board. The antenna system further includes a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure. The first antenna structure is positioned between the circuit board and the second antenna structure such that the first antenna structure forms a ground plane for the second antenna structure. In addition, the first antenna structure is electrically coupled to the circuit board via a first conductive path. The second antenna structure is electrically coupled to the circuit board via a second conductive path extending through an opening defined by the first antenna structure.

Abstract: A communication system for point to multipoint communications by grouping client devices based on associated modes is provided. In one example implementation, point to multipoint communication improvements are achieved by grouping a plurality of client devices by their optimal modes for communication. For example, the communication system can determine, based on channel quality indicators (CQIs) that two client devices of a plurality of client devices are associated with an optimal first mode of a modal antenna. The system can group the two client devices into a first group, the first group associated with communication using the first mode of the modal antenna. The modal antenna can communicate with the first group using the first mode of a modal antenna during a single frame of communication.

Abstract: An antenna assembly can be configured for RF communications. The antenna assembly can include a ground plane disposed on a substrate. The antenna assembly can include a patch antenna structure spaced apart from the ground plane. The antenna assembly can include one or more grounded posts coupled to and extending from the substrate. The one or more grounded posts can be arranged along at least a portion of a periphery of the patch antenna structure. The patch antenna structure can emit a radiation pattern based at least in part on a transmit signal. The radiation pattern can induce a resultant field in the one or more grounded posts to adjust a characteristic of the radiation pattern.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) printer-encoder is provided. The RFID printer-encoder includes a feed path configured to accommodate a plurality of RFID tags. The RFID printer-encoder further includes a print head positioned along the feed path. Furthermore, the RFID printer-encoder includes a multi-mode active antenna configurable in a plurality of antenna modes. Each of the plurality of antenna modes has a distinct radiation pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for point to multipoint communications are provided. In one example, a system includes one or more modal antennas. Each modal antenna is configured to operate in a plurality of modes. The system can include a transceiver configured to communicate with a plurality of client devices over a wireless communication medium via the one or more modal antennas over a plurality of frames. The system can include one or more control devices configured to control the operation of the one or more modal antennas. For each of the plurality of frames communicated to one of the plurality of client devices, the one or more control devices are configured to determine a selected mode of the plurality of modes for the one or more modal antennas and configure the one or more modal antenna in the selected mode for the corresponding frame of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: An active antenna for UHF/VHF signal receiving is described, the active antenna being capable of configuration in one of a plurality of possible modes. The active antenna includes an antenna element configured for multiple resonances in the UHF/VHF bands, and capable of generating multiple radiation modes as well as active impedance matching using a microprocessor and multi-port switch having variable or multiple selectable modes. The active antenna may include a second antenna element arranged in a right-angle orientation with respect to the first antenna element. The first antenna element, second antenna element, or a combination may be selected for receiving signals in at a desired frequency. A three-dimensional antenna assembly is also described. Each of the examples illustrate an active beam steering antenna capable of UHF/VHF signal receiving.

Abstract: A patch antenna array system is provided. The patch antenna array system can include a plurality of patch antennas oriented with respect to each other to provide a nearly symmetric radiation pattern over a range of frequencies, such as from 1500 Megahertz (MHz) to 1700 MHz. The patch antenna array system can include a sequential phase feed network that is in communication with the plurality of patch antennas. The sequential phase feed network can be configured to provide a radio frequency (RF) signal to each patch antenna of the plurality of patch antennas such that the patch antenna array system has an axial ratio of less than 1 decibel (dB) over the range of frequencies.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is provided. The antenna assembly includes a tube structure disposed on a circuit board. The antenna assembly further includes a helical antenna comprising a plurality of conductive traces disposed on a flexible substrate wrapped around the tube structure.

Abstract: A system is described where antenna beam steering techniques are implemented to optimize time and frequency channel resources in wireless communication systems where repeaters are used. Beam steering modes of the antenna systems in the repeaters as well as the nodes are optimized to improve system capacity and load balancing. Client devices in a wireless LAN system can be configured to work as repeaters, with the repeaters containing a beam steering capability. The beam steering capability can be implemented in one or multiple nodes and repeaters in the communication system.

Abstract: A multiport RF switch assembly with integrated impedance tuning capability is described that provides a single RFIC solution to switch between transmit and receive paths in a communication system. Dynamic tuning is integrated into each switch sub-assembly to provide the capability to impedance match antennas or other components connected to the multiport switch. The tuning function at the switch can be used to shape the antenna response to provide better filtering at the switch/RF front-end (RFFE) interface to allow for reduced filtering requirements in the RFFE. Memory is designed into the multiport switch assembly, allowing for a look-up table or other data to reside with the switch and tuning circuit. The resident memory will result in easier integration of the tunable switch assembly into communication systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine analogs, and methods for their synthesis and use. Such analogs are designed to provide a convenient linkage chemistry for coupling under mild conditions to a suitable group on a target protein, polypeptide, solid phase or detectable label.

Abstract: A manually actuated chromatography device comprising a chamber for receiving a liquid sample, a pump with a metering valve, and a chromatography element, wherein the pump moves a predetermined volume of liquid from the sample chamber to the chromatography element.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for a brewed beverage, such as coffee or tea, that stores a batch of brewed beverage in a cooled container, and heats a serving quantity on demand at the point of dispensing. A heater such as a tankless water heater may be connected to a dispensing line to generate hot servings on demand. Cold servings may also be provided. Quality control of the brewing process may be improved by brewing in a centralized, controlled environment and then shipping cooled containers to dispensing points such as coffee shops or cafés. Containers may be filled with a gas such as nitrogen to prevent oxidation, thereby preserving freshness during storage or shipping. At the dispensing site, containers may be refrigerated and attached to gas tanks to maintain the freshness as servings are dispensed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an inlet port configured to receive a sample, a first reaction chamber fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a first pump fluidically coupled to the inlet port, a second pump fluidically coupled to a mixing chamber, a metering channel fluidically coupled to the first reaction chamber and to the mixing chamber, and one or more second reaction chambers fluidically coupled to the mixing chamber. The first pump is configured to move fluid from the inlet port to the first reaction chamber and from the first pump to the inlet port. The second pump is configured to move fluid from the second pump to the mixing chamber, from the first reaction chamber to the mixing chamber, and from the mixing chamber to the one or more second reaction chambers.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for methods and reagents for rapid multiplex RPA reactions and improved methods for detection of multiplex RPA reaction products. In addition, the disclosure provides new methods for eliminating carryover contamination between RPA processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine analogs, and methods for their synthesis and use. Such analogs are designed to provide a convenient linkage chemistry for coupling under mild conditions to a suitable group on a target protein, polypeptide, solid phase or detectable label.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the improved processivity of the disclosed methods may allow amplification of DNA up to hundres of megabases in length.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. Further disclosed are conditions to enable real-time monitoring of RPA reactions, methods to regulate RPA reactions using light and otherwise, methods to determine the nature of amplified species without a need for gel electrophoresis, methods to improve and optimize signal to noise ratios in RPA reactions, methods to optimize oligonucleotide primer function, methods to control carry-over contamination, and methods to employ sequence-specific third ‘specificity’ probes.

Abstract: Enables a coffee making apparatus with a froth spoon and at least one impeller configured to enable users to make a cup of coffee, agitate the coffee grounds with the at least one impeller, for example before or after as the plunger is pushed to the bottom of the carafe. Embodiments thus enable a user to make additional froth, pour out the coffee into a cup, and after the cup is filled to the desired level, spoon out froth over the coffee with the froth spoon without pouring excess coffee into the cup.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for a brewed beverage, such as coffee or tea, that stores a batch of brewed beverage in a cooled container, and heats a serving quantity on demand at the point of dispensing. A heater such as a tankless water heater may be connected to a dispensing line to generate hot servings on demand. Cold servings may also be provided. Quality control of the brewing process may be improved by brewing in a centralized, controlled environment and then shipping cooled containers to dispensing points such as coffee shops or cafés. Containers may be filled with a gas such as nitrogen to prevent oxidation, thereby preserving freshness during storage or shipping. At the dispensing site, containers may be refrigerated and attached to gas tanks to maintain the freshness as servings are dispensed.