Abstract: A portable, reusable medication dispensing assembly which has communication capability to improve medication adherence is disclosed. An electromechanical apparatus sequentially delivers dosage form packages from a compartment in a housing to a dose-ready area in the housing. A microprocessor-based controller is reprogrammable with contact and prescription data. The controller controls the electromechanical apparatus to sequentially deliver the dosage form packages at prescribed times or time intervals to the dose-ready area based on the prescription data. The controller generates and stores a set of event data based on when the dosage form packages are ready to be released in the dose-ready area and whether and when the dosage form packages have been released in the dose-ready area.

Abstract: A method and system for marking a workpiece at a marking location by infusing colorant into targeted surface material within a region of the workpiece via laser-induced chemical etching are disclosed. The system includes a laser subsystem for generating a pulsed laser output and a transport subsystem including a medium containing the colorant mounted immediately adjacent the marking location to transfer the colorant to the targeted surface material upon impact by the pulsed laser output. The system also includes a delivery subsystem for irradiating the medium and the targeted surface material with the pulsed laser output to melt the targeted surface material to obtain molten material and to transfer the colorant from the medium to the molten material. The molten material allows the transferred colorant to thermally diffuse into and chemically bond to the molten material. Each laser pulse creates a microtextured colorized spot of material on the workpiece.

Abstract: A portable, reusable dispensing assembly having multiple operating modes is provided. The assembly includes a housing having a compartment which is refillable with an elongated medication strip having a plurality of dosage form packages spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the strip. A bi-directional, electromechanical actuator advances a first end of the strip from the compartment to a dose-ready area in the housing in a dispensing mode of the assembly and loads the strip into the compartment in a loading mode of the assembly. An actuator controller is configured to receive power and direction command signals to controllably supply DC power of a desired polarity to the actuator to control the operating mode of the assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for marking a workpiece at a marking location by infusing colorant into targeted surface material within a region of the workpiece via laser-induced chemical etching are disclosed. The system includes a laser subsystem for generating a pulsed laser output and a transport subsystem including a medium containing the colorant mounted immediately adjacent the marking location to transfer the colorant to the targeted surface material upon impact by the pulsed laser output. The system also includes a delivery subsystem for irradiating the medium and the targeted surface material with the pulsed laser output to melt the targeted surface material to obtain molten material and to transfer the colorant from the medium to the molten material. The molten material allows the transferred colorant to thermally diffuse into and chemically bond to the molten material. Each laser pulse creates a microtextured colorized spot of material on the workpiece.

Abstract: A portable, reusable medication dispensing assembly which has communication capability to improve medication adherence is disclosed. An electromechanical apparatus sequentially delivers dosage form packages from a compartment in a housing to a dose-ready area in the housing. A microprocessor-based controller is reprogrammable with contact and prescription data. The controller controls the electromechanical apparatus to sequentially deliver the dosage form packages at prescribed times or time intervals to the dose-ready area based on the prescription data. The controller generates and stores a set of event data based on when the dosage form packages are ready to be released in the dose-ready area and whether and when the dosage form packages have been released in the dose-ready area.

Abstract: A portable, reusable dispensing assembly having multiple operating modes is provided. The assembly includes a housing having a compartment which is refillable with an elongated medication strip having a plurality of dosage form packages spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the strip. A bi-directional, electromechanical actuator advances a first end of the strip from the compartment to a dose-ready area in the housing in a dispensing mode of the assembly and loads the strip into the compartment in a loading mode of the assembly. An actuator controller is configured to receive power and direction command signals to controllably supply DC power of a desired polarity to the actuator to control the operating mode of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door includes a mobile communication device operative to produce an excitation signal in the form of a first, short-range, electromagnetic field within a first range of the mobile device and a hand-held communication device, such as a key fob, operative to produce an excitation signal in the form of a second, short-range, electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the first range. Control logic is coupled to the devices. The control logic is operative to detect when a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the first range and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the first range.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the visibility of a ground surface adjacent to a land vehicle is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device, a hand-held communication device and control logic coupled to the mobile device and operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized device. An imaging assembly is supported on the vehicle to obtain an image of the ground surface. An image processor processes the image to detect an obstacle located on the ground surface. The control logic is operative to generate a display command signal. A display device is responsive to the signal to display in real time the detected obstacle or a welcome mat onto or adjacent the vehicle for enhanced viewing by an approaching pedestrian when the pedestrian carrying the authorized device is located within a predetermined range of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for remotely opening a land vehicle door is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle and operative to produce a first signal in the form of a first electromagnetic field defined by a field envelope. A hand-held communication device is operative to detect the first electromagnetic field and produce a second signal in the form of a second electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the field envelope. Control logic is coupled to the mobile device and is operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device. The control logic is operative to determine if a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the field envelope and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the field envelope for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door includes a hand-held communication device such as a key fob having a low-power setting and a high-power setting for wirelessly transmitting low-power command signals and high-power command signals, respectively. Each of the command signals containing command data which identifies a command issued by a pedestrian carrying the hand-held device and identification data which identifies the hand-held device. A mobile communication device is supported on the vehicle for movement therewith and is capable of wirelessly receiving the high-power and low-power command signals. Control logic is coupled to the devices. The hand-held and mobile communication devices automatically transmit and receive, respectively, the low-power command signals as long as a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is within a predetermined short range of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for automatically providing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is provided. The system may include exercise apparatus which a user manipulates to achieve exercise and which is controllable to provide an exercise profile having a high-intensity exercise interval to the user during user exercise. A stimulator subsystem is controllable to provide sets of stimuli to the user during user exercise including a set of stimuli capable of evoking a pupillary response in the user. An imaging assembly images a pupil of an eye of the user during user exercise to obtain a set of images of the pupil. An image processor processes the set of images to obtain measurements which measure the pupillary response. A system controller controls the exercise apparatus and the stimulator subsystem so that the exercise apparatus automatically provides the high-intensity exercise interval to the user based on the measurements.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the visibility of a ground surface adjacent to a land vehicle is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device, a hand-held communication device and control logic coupled to the mobile device and operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized device. An imaging assembly is supported on the vehicle to obtain an image of the ground surface. An image processor processes the image to detect an obstacle located on the ground surface. The control logic is operative to generate a display command signal. A display device is responsive to the signal to display in real time the detected obstacle or a welcome mat onto or adjacent the vehicle for enhanced viewing by an approaching pedestrian when the pedestrian carrying the authorized device is located within a predetermined range of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for remotely opening a land vehicle door is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle and operative to produce a first signal in the form of a first electromagnetic field defined by a field envelope. A hand-held communication device is operative to detect the first electromagnetic field and produce a second signal in the form of a second electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the field envelope. Control logic is coupled to the mobile device and is operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device. The control logic is operative to determine if a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the field envelope and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the field envelope for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door includes a mobile communication device operative to produce an excitation signal in the form of a first, short-range, electromagnetic field within a first range of the mobile device and a hand-held communication device, such as a key fob, operative to produce an excitation signal in the form of a second, short-range, electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the first range. Control logic is coupled to the devices. The control logic is operative to detect when a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the first range and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the first range.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door includes a hand-held communication device such as a key fob having a low-power setting and a high-power setting for wirelessly transmitting low-power command signals and high-power command signals, respectively. Each of the command signals containing command data which identifies a command issued by a pedestrian carrying the hand-held device and identification data which identifies the hand-held device. A mobile communication device is supported on the vehicle for movement therewith and is capable of wirelessly receiving the high-power and low-power command signals. Control logic is coupled to the devices. The hand-held and mobile communication devices automatically transmit and receive, respectively, the low-power command signals as long as a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is within a predetermined short range of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for automatically providing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is provided. The system may include exercise apparatus which a user manipulates to achieve exercise and which is controllable to provide an exercise profile having a high-intensity exercise interval to the user during user exercise. A stimulator subsystem is controllable to provide sets of stimuli to the user during user exercise including a set of stimuli capable of evoking a pupillary response in the user. An imaging assembly images a pupil of an eye of the user during user exercise to obtain a set of images of the pupil. An image processor processes the set of images to obtain measurements which measure the pupillary response. A system controller controls the exercise apparatus and the stimulator subsystem so that the exercise apparatus automatically provides the high-intensity exercise interval to the user based on the measurements.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a warning system to notify a land vehicle or a motorist of the vehicle of an approaching or nearby emergency vehicle or train is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a docking station and a communication device which has a first receiver which receives RF warning signals transmitted from outside the land vehicle and a second receiver which receives perceptible warning signals transmitted by the emergency vehicle or train. The docking station supports the device within the passenger compartment so that the first and second receivers are capable of receiving the RF and perceptible warning signals, respectively. Control logic is coupled to the device to generate a notification signal based on the warning signals. The notification signal provides an advance warning to the motorist or land vehicle.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle for movement therewith and a hand-held communication device such as a key fob including a motion sensor operative to provide motion signals as a function of motions made by a pedestrian carrying the hand-held device. Control logic is coupled to the devices and is operative to detect a sequence of step motions made by the pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device when the pedestrian carrying the authorized hand-held device is located within a predetermined, short range of the mobile device and to generate a door-opening control signal based on command data contained within a command signal transmitted by the hand-held device and/or when the control logic recognizes the detected sequence of step motions as a door-opening pedestrian command.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing pistons (10) and the like from foundry-turned castings during one clamping operation provide enhanced manufacturing productivity. Separate boring and turning modules (34, 24) of the apparatus are mounted on a primary base (18) and a grooving module (54) is mounted on a secondary base (72). The modules automatically groove the ring grooves (11), turn the complex shape of the skirt (15) and bore the wrist pin bore (13) through an ordered sequence of manufacturing steps. The piston stock is mounted for rotation on headstock and tailstock assemblies (82, 84). These assemblies are carried on the secondary base (72) which is slidably mounted on the primary base for movement into operative position with respect to the boring and turning modules according to the ordered sequence. The method and system improve piston quality while reducing manufacturing costs including saving factory floor space.