Abstract: A method of controlling a maintenance operation of an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printer, the method includes providing at least one parameter of the maintenance operation as a function of humidity condition; providing a humidity sensor external to the inkjet printer; receiving data from a humidity sensor external to the inkjet printer, which data corresponds to a current indoor humidity condition where the inkjet printer is located; determining a humidity condition corresponding to the current indoor humidity condition; and controlling the maintenance operation, wherein the at least one parameter is determined in accordance with the determined humidity condition.

Abstract: A method of controlling a maintenance operation of an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printer, the method includes providing at least one parameter of the maintenance operation as a function of humidity condition; receiving data corresponding to a current outdoor humidity condition; determining a humidity condition corresponding to the current outdoor humidity condition; and controlling the maintenance operation, wherein the at least one parameter is determined in accordance with the determined humidity condition.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reusable housing assembly, and a disposable housing assembly including a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid. The wearable infusion pump assembly also includes a releasable engagement assembly configured to allow the reusable housing assembly to releasably engage the disposable housing assembly. A switch assembly of the wearable infusion pump assembly is configured to effectuate a functionality of the infusion pump assembly.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead including a drop ejector, the drop ejector includes a substrate having a surface disposed along an xy plane; a nozzle plate including a nozzle; a resistive heater disposed on the surface of the substrate proximate the nozzle, the resistive heater including a width along an x direction; and a chamber at least partially enclosing the resistive heater, the chamber including: a y axis; a pair of nonparallel opposing walls defining a variable width of the chamber along the x direction; and a chamber inlet having an inlet width along the x direction, the inlet width being less than the width of the resistive heater, wherein the variable width of the chamber gradually increases between the inlet of the chamber and an edge of the heater that is nearest to the inlet of the chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a printhead die including an array of nozzles disposed along a nozzle array direction and an ink feed opening that is fluidically connected to the array of nozzles; and a mounting member including: a first surface to which the printhead die is affixed; a second surface opposite the first surface; and an ink passageway from the second surface to the first surface, the ink passageway including: an elongated opening disposed on the first surface, the elongated opening being adjacent the ink feed opening of the printhead die; and a first opening and a second opening disposed on the second surface, the first and second openings being fluidically connected to the elongated opening disposed on the first surface.

Abstract: A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

Abstract: A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.

Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.

Abstract: A computer implemented continuous dual auction system consisting of a computer, server, and a process for creating a real-time, or substantially real-time, online marketplace for the sale of goods and services. The process includes the input of information from a seller about a certain good or service for sale, including but not limited to a price desired and a price the seller is willing to accept. The process also includes the input of information from a buyer about a certain good or service desired, including but not limited to a price a buyer is willing to pay for such a good or service. The process also can include the input of credit card information for validation and guaranty purposes in allowing the buyer and seller to post a bid or offer, respectively, into the continuous dual auction system's real-time, or substantially real-time, online marketplace.

Abstract: A computer implemented continuous dual auction system consisting of a computer, server, and a process for creating a real-time online marketplace for the sale of goods and services. The process includes the input of information from a seller about a certain good or service for sale, including but not limited to a price desired and a price the seller is willing to accept. The process also includes the input of information from a buyer about a certain good or service desired, including but not limited to a price a buyer is willing to pay and the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for such a good or service. The process also requires the input of credit card information for validation and guaranty purposes in allowing the buyer and seller to post a bid or offer, respectively, into the continuous dual auction system's real-time online marketplace.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reusable housing assembly, and a disposable housing assembly including a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid. The wearable infusion pump assembly also includes a releasable engagement assembly configured to allow the reusable housing assembly to releasably engage the disposable housing assembly. A switch assembly of the wearable infusion pump assembly is configured to effectuate a functionality of the infusion pump assembly.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reusable housing assembly, and a disposable housing assembly including a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid. A releasable engagement assembly is configured to allow the reusable housing assembly to releasably engage the disposable housing assembly. A detachable external infusion set is configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.

Abstract: An improved wheel alignment turntable for supporting a wheel of a vehicle. Embodiments include a turntable having a base, and a top plate for receiving the vehicle wheel, the top plate being mounted to an upper surface of the base for rotational and translational movement relative to the base. A pair of paddles, removably adjustably attachable to the base, engages a peripheral wall of the top plate for maintaining the top plate in a predetermined position relative to the base while the vehicle wheel is being positioned on the turntable. The paddles are easily removable when the wheel is supported on the turntable. A plurality of slide pads are removably mounted to a lower surface of the base, for enabling sliding motion between the turntable and a surface of a lift without damaging paint on the surface of the lift. The slide pads are stackable against one another for adjusting height of the turntable relative to the lift.

Abstract: In a vehicle alignment system an optical sensing mechanism is structurally coupled to a vehicle supporting lift for movement in unison with the lift so that the field of view of the sensing mechanism encompasses a wheel of a vehicle positioned on the lift during lift movement. Sensing modules may be selectively placed so that they are in correspondence with the vehicle wheel base. Modules may be deployed to extend outwardly from the lift, for viewing the wheel during an alignment procedure, or retract to a adjacent the lift for stowing. A protective cover extends above the sensing modules in the retracted position.

Abstract: An improved wheel alignment turntable for supporting a wheel of a vehicle. Embodiments include a turntable having a base, and a top plate for receiving the vehicle wheel, the top plate being mounted to an upper surface of the base for rotational and translational movement relative to the base. A pair of paddles, removably adjustably attachable to the base, engages a peripheral wall of the top plate for maintaining the top plate in a predetermined position relative to the base while the vehicle wheel is being positioned on the turntable. The paddles are easily removable when the wheel is supported on the turntable. A plurality of slide pads are removably mounted to a lower surface of the base, for enabling sliding motion between the turntable and a surface of a lift without damaging paint on the surface of the lift. The slide pads are stackable against one another for adjusting height of the turntable relative to the lift.

Abstract: In a vehicle alignment system an optical sensing mechanism is structurally coupled to a vehicle supporting lift for movement in unison with the lift so that the field of view of the sensing mechanism encompasses a wheel of a vehicle positioned on the lift during lift movement. Sensing modules may be selectively placed so that they are in correspondence with the vehicle wheel base. Modules may be deployed to extend outwardly from the lift, for viewing the wheel during an alignment procedure, or retract to a adjacent the lift for stowing. A protective cover extends above the sensing modules in the retracted position.

Abstract: A control system for remotely controlling a mobile platform includes a ground-based control station and a surrogate processor. The surrogate processor is remotely located from both the mobile platform and the ground-based control station and includes a communication gateway and software. The communication gateway is in communication with the software, the ground-based control station, and the mobile platform and is capable of transmitting information therebetween. The software generates a control message based on commands received from the ground-based control station to adjust an operational characteristic of the mobile platform. Locating the software and the gateway remotely from the mobile platform also enables a less costly and less complex mobile platform to be constructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a family of cyanine dyes which fluoresce in the far red and near infra red wavelengths of the spectrum and preferably prossess lipophilic side chains. The dyes of the invention are soluble in commercially available membrane staining vehicles, are useful as probes for rapidly staining lipophilic structures such as membranes in cells or isolated from cells, and are well retained therein. Methods of using the dyes to detect stained cells both in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.