Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic smoking device (100) with an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114) and to an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114). In order to facilitate refilling a liquid reservoir (134) of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114), the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114) comprises a docking valve (146) for docking a source of liquid (148) to be stored in the liquid reservoir (134), and a liquid duct (156) that is adapted to receive liquid (172) from the docking valve (146) and that opens into the refillable liquid reservoir (134) at a predetermined distance (A) to the docking valve (146).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the first location device, a signal by the mobile device and detecting, by the second location device, the signal by the mobile device. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the elevator system, the call for the elevator car in response to the detection by the second location device of the signal subsequent to the detection of the signal by the first location device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the mobile device, a first triggering signal by the first location device and detecting, by the mobile device, a second triggering signal by the second location device subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the mobile device, the call for the elevator car of the elevator system in response to the detection of the second triggering signal subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal.

Abstract: A method for crowd prediction in an elevator system includes logging the number of calls across a period of time and generating a first time series for an average number of calls; collecting external influence data and generating a second time series for the external influence data; performing a cross-correlation test on the first and second time series; when a cross-correlation between the first and second time series is determined, performing a causality test on the first and second time series; and when a causal relationship between the first and second time series is determined, using the causal relationship to predict an expected number of calls in the elevator system.

Abstract: A variable filter has a signal loop defined between a signal input and a signal output. A plurality of circuit elements connected in the signal loop, the plurality of circuit elements comprising a frequency tunable resonator, and an adjustable scaling block that applies a gain factor that is adjustable in a range that comprises a positive gain and a negative gain. A controller is connected to 1) tune the frequency tunable resonator; and to 2) adjust the gain factor of the adjustable scaling block between a negative gain factor to a positive gain factor providing for variable Q independent of frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying or controlling a resonator connected to a signal loop having an input (18828), an output (18822), and a closed loop frequency response. The signal loop has a primary resonator (18810) having a primary frequency response. There is at least one adjustable resonator (18812) having an adjustable frequency (f) and a secondary Q-factor. An adjustable scaling block (18824) applies a gain factor (g). A controller is connected to the at least one adjustable resonator (18812) and the adjustable scaling block (18824). The controller has instructions to adjust the closed loop frequency response toward a desired closed loop frequency response by controlling the adjustable frequency (f) of the at least one adjustable resonator (18812) and the gain factor (g) of the adjustable scaling block (18824).

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling elevators are provided. The methods include at least one of receiving and determining, at an elevator system computing device, a call probability associated with at least one of a movement, a position, a speed, and a direction of a user of the elevator system, scheduling, with a dispatching system, an elevator car operation based on at least the call probability, and controlling, with an elevator controller, the operation of an elevator car based on the scheduled elevator car operation.

Abstract: A method of assigning a destination floor to an elevator call associated with a mobile device is provided. The method including: receiving a first elevator call to travel from a first floor, the first floor is a boarding floor for the first elevator call; detecting a location of a mobile device relative to an elevator car of an elevator system; moving the elevator car from the first floor to a second floor in response to the first elevator call; determining when the mobile device exits the elevator car at the second floor in response to the location of the mobile device, the second floor is a destination floor for the first elevator call; receiving a second elevator call from the mobile device; and establishing the second floor as a destination floor for the second elevator call.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for preventing an unintended call for a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system is provided. The conveyance system comprising a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method comprising: detecting a first interaction between the mobile device and the first location device; determining a travel direction of the first mobile device; and automatically filtering a second interaction between the mobile device and a second location device to prevent an unintended call to a conveyance apparatus in response to the travel direction of the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the mobile device, a first triggering signal by the first location device and detecting, by the mobile device, a second triggering signal by the second location device subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the mobile device, the call for the elevator car of the elevator system in response to the detection of the second triggering signal subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the first location device, a signal by the mobile device and detecting, by the second location device, the signal by the mobile device. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the elevator system, the call for the elevator car in response to the detection by the second location device of the signal subsequent to the detection of the signal by the first location device.

Abstract: A variable filter has a signal loop defined between a signal input and a signal output. A plurality of circuit elements connected in the signal loop, the plurality of circuit elements comprising a frequency tunable resonator, and an adjustable scaling block that applies a gain factor that is adjustable in a range that comprises a positive gain and a negative gain. A controller is connected to 1) tune the frequency tunable resonator; and to 2) adjust the gain factor of the adjustable scaling block between a negative gain factor to a positive gain factor providing for variable Q independent of frequency.

Abstract: A variable filter has a signal loop defined between a signal input and a signal output. A plurality of circuit elements connected in the signal loop, the plurality of circuit elements comprising a frequency tunable resonator, and an adjustable scaling block that applies a gain factor that is adjustable in a range that comprises a positive gain and a negative gain. A controller is connected to 1) tune the frequency tunable resonator; and to 2) adjust the gain factor of the adjustable scaling block between a negative gain factor to a positive gain factor providing for variable Q independent of frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacture of fine line circuitry in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and the like. The method utilizes a first conductive layer on the smooth surface of a build-up layer and a second conductive layer selected from electrically conductive polymers, colloidal noble metals and electrically conductive carbon particles on the roughened walls of at least one opening which are formed after depositing the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A variable filter has a signal loop defined between a signal input and a signal output. A plurality of circuit elements connected in the signal loop, the plurality of circuit elements comprising a frequency tunable resonator, and an adjustable scaling block that applies a gain factor that is adjustable in a range that comprises a positive gain and a negative gain. A controller is connected to 1) tune the frequency tunable resonator; and to 2) adjust the gain factor of the adjustable scaling block between a negative gain factor to a positive gain factor providing for variable Q independent of frequency.

Abstract: A 3D microelectrode device includes a flexible substrate containing poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS). The device may be fabricated in a miniature form factor suitable for attachment to a small organ such as a lateral gastrocnemius muscle of a live rat. In addition to providing a miniaturized, conformable attachment, the device provides an anchoring action via one or more microelectrodes, each having an insertable tip particularly shaped to provide the anchoring action. Furthermore, a base portion of each of the microelectrodes is embedded inside conductive poly-dimethyl siloxane (cPDMS). The cPDMS is contained in a pad that is coupled to a conductive track embedded in the flexible substrate. Embedding of the base portion inside the cPDMS material not only allows the microelectrode to bend in various directions, but also provides good electrical conductivity while eliminating the need for attachment processes using solder or epoxy adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacture of fine line circuitry in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and the like. The method utilizes a first conductive layer on the smooth surface of a build-up layer and a second conductive layer selected from electrically conductive polymers, colloidal noble metals and electrically conductive carbon particles on the roughened walls of at least one opening which are formed after depositing the first conductive layer.

Abstract: Generally, this disclosure provides systems and methods for modular antenna array beamforming with controllable antenna module delay for improved beam steering accuracy. A system may include a plurality of antenna modules, each of the antenna modules comprising an array of antenna elements coupled to an RF beamforming circuit, the RF beamforming circuit to adjust phase shifts associated with the antenna elements to generate an antenna beam associated with the antenna module; a delay circuit coupled to each of the antenna modules; and a central beamforming module coupled to each of the delay circuits, the central beamforming module to control the antenna beam associated with each of the antenna modules and further to adjust signal delays associated with the delay circuits, wherein the arrays of antenna elements of the antenna modules combine to operate as a composite antenna beamforming array.

Abstract: A 3D microelectrode device includes a flexible substrate containing poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS). The device may be fabricated in a miniature form factor suitable for attachment to a small organ such as a lateral gastrocnemius muscle of a live rat. In addition to providing a miniaturized, conformable attachment, the device provides an anchoring action via one or more microelectrodes, each having an insertable tip particularly shaped to provide the anchoring action. Furthermore, a base portion of each of the microelectrodes is embedded inside conductive poly-dimethyl siloxane (cPDMS). The cPDMS is contained in a pad that is coupled to a conductive track embedded in the flexible substrate. Embedding of the base portion inside the cPDMS material not only allows the microelectrode to bend in various directions, but also provides good electrical conductivity while eliminating the need for attachment processes using solder or epoxy adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) comprising in the viral genome one or more expression cassettes for the expression of HIV proteins selected from Gag, Pol, Tat, Vif, Vpu, Vpr, Rev and Nef or a part or a derivative thereof or selected from Gag, Pol, Vpu, Vpr, Rev and Nef or a part or a derivative thereof for use as medicament or vaccine and its use for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infections and AIDS.