Abstract: A pump assembly includes multiple impeller stages, each impeller stage including at least one impeller vane. At least one impeller stage includes at least one impeller vane with at least one perforation disposed therethrough.

Abstract: A beverage forming system having a controller arranged to adjust at least one of a set of brew parameters in response to a failure to identify a characteristic of a capsule to be used to form a beverage. An adjusted brew parameter may be a configuration-type parameter that is generally has a fixed value for all or most beverage dispensing operations, or a beverage-specific parameter that may be user-adjusted for each beverage dispensing operation.

Abstract: A beverage forming system having a controller arranged to provide a user interface with a user-adjustable indication of at least one brew parameter and to receive a command from a user to adjust the at least one brew parameter. The user-adjustable indication may include a slider track extending between the maximum and minimum values for a brew parameter and a slider element movable along the slider track where a position of the slider element on the slider track indicates a set value for the brew parameter. The controller may limit a command from the user to adjust the brew parameter to be between a minimum value for the brew parameter and a limited value that is below a maximum value for the brew parameter, or between a limited value that is above the minimum value and the maximum value for the brew parameter.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes multiple impeller stages, each impeller stage including at least one impeller vane. At least one impeller stage includes at least one impeller vane with at least one perforation disposed therethrough.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices for automatically unlocking a vehicle are provided, including a personal data device (“PDD”) adapted to wirelessly connect to an authentication module disposed within a body of the vehicle. The authentication module preferably includes a microcontroller board with wireless capabilities, a relay shield configured to send a signal to a central locking system of the vehicle, and a radio frequency transmitter connected to the relay shield. The PDD is configured for biometric authentication of a user. When the PDD is wirelessly connected to the authentication module, a signal is sent to the central locking system upon the automatic biometric authentication of the user. A PDD is disclosed including a near-field communication (NFC) chip adapted to wirelessly connect to an NFC receiver module disposed within a body of the vehicle. The PDD is configured to trigger sending a signal to the NFC receiver module to control a central locking system of the vehicle to unlock the vehicle.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices for automatically unlocking a vehicle are provided, including a personal data device (“PDD”) adapted to wirelessly connect to an authentication module disposed within a body of the vehicle. The authentication module preferably includes a microcontroller board with wireless capabilities, a relay shield configured to send a signal to a central locking system of the vehicle, and a radio frequency transmitter connected to the relay shield. The PDD is configured for biometric authentication of a user. When the PDD is wirelessly connected to the authentication module, a signal is sent to the central locking system upon the automatic biometric authentication of the user. A PDD is disclosed including a near-field communication (NFC) chip adapted to wirelessly connect to an NFC receiver module disposed within a body of the vehicle. The PDD is configured to trigger sending a signal to the NFC receiver module to control a central locking system of the vehicle to unlock the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a novel method and apparatus for automatically unlocking a vehicle, comprising installing a biometric authentication module located within a door of the vehicle. The authentication module comprises a microcontroller board with NFC capabilities and a relay shield configured to send a signal to a central locking system of the vehicle. The authentication module is adapted to wirelessly connect to a personal data device (“PDD”) that is configured for biometric authentication of a user of the device. When a PDD is placed within NFC communication range of the microcontroller board, the PDD automatically prompts an authentication mechanism to the verify the identity of a user when the PDD is in NFC communication with the authentication module. Upon verifying the identity of the user via biometric authentication while in NFC communication with the PDD, the module automatically sends a signal to unlock the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that automatically generate relative placement rules. Constructs at the register transfer language-level result in relative placement rules specified at the register transfer language-level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that automatically generate relative placement rules. Constructs at the register transfer language-level result in relative placement rules specified at the register transfer language-level.