Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a pillow speaker system. The pillow speaker system has a patient interface device (PID) having a processor and an audio output. A nurse call audio port is provided to communicate with a nurse call station. A detection circuit is provided to detect a nurse call signal and a provide nurse call indicator if a nurse call signal is present. The processor is programmed to receive the nurse call indicator from the detection circuit; provide a nurse call audio signal to the audio output if the nurse call indicator is received; and mute audio signals to the audio output except the nurse call audio signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a nurse call system. The nurse call system may include a patient hub. The patient hub may include a nurse call interface circuit configured to be in electronic communication with a nurse call patient station. The patient hub may further include a hub controller in electronic communication with the nurse call interface circuit. The nurse call system may further include a patient interaction device (“PID”). The PID may include a hub interconnect configured to be in electronic communication with the hub controller. The PID may further include a wireless communication link for receiving a PID software update. The PID software update may be a PID firmware update. The PID software update may be a PID operating system update.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a nurse call system. The nurse call system may include a patient hub. The patient hub may include a nurse call interface circuit configured to be in electronic communication with a nurse call patient station. The patient hub may further include a hub controller in electronic communication with the nurse call interface circuit. The nurse call system may further include a patient interaction device (“PID”). The PID may include a hub interconnect configured to be in electronic communication with the hub controller. The PID may further include a wireless communication link for receiving a PID software update. The PID software update may be a PID firmware update. The PID software update may be a PID operating system update.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a presence of a relay in a pillow speaker, including sampling a voltage of a relay drive line to detect a first feedback state; providing a control signal to activate the relay drive line; sampling a voltage of the relay drive line during activation to detect a second feedback state; and comparing the first feedback state and the second feedback state to detect a presence of a relay. In another aspect, a pillow speaker relay circuit includes a relay drive line with a relay terminal configured to connect to a relay such that current flows through the relay when the relay drive line is activated; a control circuit operable to activate the relay drive line, and a feedback detection circuit configured to detect a voltage of the relay drive line; and a controller to perform any of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: An interlock system for signaling a nurse call patient station is disclosed. The interlock system may include a first terminal and a second terminal. The first and second terminals may be configured to be connected to corresponding terminals of a signaling loop of a nurse call patient station. The interlock system may further include a connection circuit. The connection circuit may be configured to electrically connect the first terminal to the second terminal. The interlock system may also include a control circuit in communication with, but isolated from, the connection circuit. The control circuit may include a microcontroller. The control circuit may be isolated from the connection circuit by an isolation circuit. The control circuit may be configured to operate the connection circuit to connect or disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal.

Abstract: Payment devices and the systems and methods for securely managing financial transactions using the payment devices are provided. In one implementation, a portable proxy device comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of credentials. Each of the plurality of credentials pertains to one of a financial credential, an identification credential, or contractual credential. The portable proxy device also includes at least one interface, wherein each of the at least one interface is configured to communicate one of the plurality of credentials to an external device to complete one of a financial function, identification function, or contractual function.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a nurse call system. The nurse call system may include a patient hub. The patient hub may include a nurse call interface circuit configured to be in electronic communication with a nurse call patient station. The patient hub may further include a hub controller in electronic communication with the nurse call interface circuit. The nurse call system may further include a patient interaction device (“PID”). The PID may include a hub interconnect configured to be in electronic communication with the hub controller. The PID may further include a wireless communication link for receiving a PID software update. The PID software update may be a PID firmware update. The PID software update may be a PID operating system update.

Abstract: Payment devices and the systems and methods for securely managing financial transactions using the payment devices are provided. In one implementation, a portable proxy device comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of credentials. Each of the plurality of credentials pertains to one of a financial credential, an identification credential, or contractual credential. The portable proxy device also includes at least one interface, wherein each of the at least one interface is configured to communicate one of the plurality of credentials to an external device to complete one of a financial function, identification function, or contractual function.

Abstract: An interlock system for signaling a nurse call patient station is disclosed. The interlock system may include a first terminal and a second terminal. The first and second terminals may be configured to be connected to corresponding terminals of a signaling loop of a nurse call patient station. The interlock system may further include a connection circuit. The connection circuit may be configured to electrically connect the first terminal to the second terminal. The interlock system may also include a control circuit in communication with, but isolated from, the connection circuit. The control circuit may include a microcontroller. The control circuit may be isolated from the connection circuit by an isolation circuit. The control circuit may be configured to operate the connection circuit to connect or disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a pillow speaker system. The pillow speaker system has a patient interface device (PID) having a processor and an audio output. A nurse call audio port is provided to communicate with a nurse call station. A detection circuit is provided to detect a nurse call signal and a provide nurse call indicator if a nurse call signal is present. The processor is programmed to receive the nurse call indicator from the detection circuit; provide a nurse call audio signal to the audio output if the nurse call indicator is received; and mute audio signals to the audio output except the nurse call audio signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a pillow speaker system. The pillow speaker system includes a nurse call patient station and a patient interface device (PID). The PID is in electronic communication with the nurse call patient station, and includes a wired communication link connected to the nurse call patient station and an energy storage device for providing backup power to the PID. The energy storage device is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link. The PID is configured to receive audio signals from the nurse call patient station by way of the wired communication link. The PID may also include a power port for receiving electrical power from an external source. The power port is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link.

Abstract: Payment devices and the systems and methods for securely managing financial transactions using the payment devices are provided. In one implementation, a portable proxy device comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of credentials. Each of the plurality of credentials pertains to one of a financial credential, an identification credential, or contractual credential. The portable proxy device also includes at least one interface, wherein each of the at least one interface is configured to communicate one of the plurality of credentials to an external device to complete one of a financial function, identification function, or contractual function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing bacteria-free iodine-species-containing drinking water for farm animals under continuous dynamic water flow, comprising dissolving solid iodine into a first water flow to produce a saturated iodine species-containing aqueous solution at a pre-selected temperature; blending the saturated solution with a second water flow to produce a diluted iodine species bacterium-free aqueous solution; and providing the diluted solution as drinking water to the animals. Preferably, the iodine is dissolved in the first water flow to provide a saturated iodine species at a pre-selected temperature at a known concentration, which saturated solution is then blended into a mean water flow. The continuous flow of iodine species-containing water is fed to a farm animal drinking water distribution network with reduced risk of back-contamination by bacteria-containing water through the network.

Abstract: A method of preserving without bacterial spoilage and reducing the risk of bacterial contamination during the storage and/or transfer of foodstuffs, comprising treating said foodstuff or the locus of said foodstuff with a bacterially- effect amount of iodinated ice. The method is of particular value in the preservation of fish and fish products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing bacteria-free iodine-species-containing drinking water for farm animals under continuous dynamic water flow, comprising dissolving solid iodine into a first water flow to produce a saturated iodine species-containing aqueous solution at a pre-selected temperature; blending the saturated solution with a second water flow to produce a diluted iodine species bacterium-free aqueous solution; and providing the diluted solution as drinking water to the animals. Preferably, the iodine is dissolved in the first water flow to provide a saturated iodine species at a pre-selected temperature at a known concentration, which saturated solution is then blended into a mean water flow. The continuous flow of iodine species-containing water is fed to a farm animal drinking water distribution network with reduced risk of back-contamination by bacteria-containing water through the network.

Abstract: A water treatment system and apparatus for producing bacteria- and virus-free water from a bacteria and virus-containing water supply, said apparatus comprising(a) generator means for holding solid elemental iodine and to allow solubilization of said iodine under dynamic aqueous flow;(b) means for feeding a first portion of said water supply to said generator means to produce an aqueous concentrated iodine solution;(c) means for providing a second portion of said water supply;(d) means for providing said aqueous concentrated iodine solution to said second portion of said water supply to provide a blended water supply;(e) storage means for holding said blended water supply to provide said bacteria- and virus-free water;(f) means for measuring water flow of said first and said second portions;(g) means for measuring the pH of said second portion;(h) means for adjusting the pH of said second portion;(i) means for measuring the temperature of said concentrated aqueous solution; and(j) control means for receiving

Abstract: A water treatment system and apparatus for producing bacteria- and virus-free water from a bacteria and virus-containing water supply, said apparatus comprising(a) generator means for holding solid elemental iodine and to allow solubilization of said iodine under dynamic aqueous flow;(b) means for feeding a first portion of said water supply to said generator means to produce an aqueous concentrated iodine solution;(c) means for providing a second portion of said water supply;(d) means for providing said aqueous concentrated iodine solution to said second portion of said water supply to provide a blended water supply;(e) storage means for holding said blended water supply to provide said bacteria- and virus-free water;(f) means for measuring water flow of said first and said second portions;(g) means for measuring the pH of said second portion;(h) means for adjusting the pH of said second portion;(i) means for measuring the temperature of said concentrated aqueous solution; and(j) control means for receiving

Abstract: An eddy current coupling has a field coil (42) for magnetically coupling an inductor drum (26) and rotor (28). The thickness of the supporting arm (48) for the coil increases in a step-wise manner in a direction away from the end of the arm. The diameter of the adjacent portions (30) of the rotor is reduced in a corresponding manner to provide a plurality of air gaps (54a, 54b, 54c) across which the flux passes in radial directions. The flux passage and heat removal characteristics of the coupling are enhanced.

Abstract: A stator winding configuration employs graded, overlapping stator winding coil groups. The outer coils of the coil group have a reduced number of turns with respect to the center coil or coils of the group. The coil groups have an expanded coil group width. The outer coils of adjacent, expanded width coil groups are overlapped by placing the reduced turn outer coils in common slots in the stator core.

Abstract: The tachometer of the present invention has a stator member with a pair of opposed stator elements. The stator member is mounted on the apparatus. Windings are provided on the stator elements in which the electric signal is generated.A magnetic means is provided for establishing a magnetic flux between the stator segments. For this purpose, magnets may be mounted on the exterior of the stator segments and the portions of the apparatus adjacent the segments used as the flux return path. Or, magnets may bridge the two stator segments.A magnetically permeable rotor is mounted on the apparatus shaft. The rotor may be formed of steel laminations with no rotating winding and has a plurality of peripheral projections that alter the reluctance of the magnetic path in the teeth as they rotate, inducing a speed responsive signal in the windings. The maximum speed of the rotor is limited only by the strength of the steel.