Abstract: A liquid concentrate generation system may comprise a manifold having an inlet receptacle including a first piercing member, an outlet receptacle including a second piercing member, and a flow channel connecting the inlet receptacle and outlet receptacle. The system may further comprise a cartridge having an inlet port and an outlet port sealed by a respective first and second cover. The inlet and outlet port may be respectively configured to displace within the inlet receptacle and outlet receptacle from an unspiked position to a spiked position. First and second piercing members may be in communication with the flow channel and spaced apart respectively from the first and second cover in the unspiked position. The first and second piercing members may be isolated from the flow channel and may respectively puncture the first and second cover in the spiked position.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a request for a computer-readable routing diagram, such as a wiring diagram, a pneumatic or hydraulic line diagram, or an optical cable diagram. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a routing diagram including a connectable component and at least a portion of a routing set. The connectable component is associated with both a connectable component identifier and the routing set. The routing set contains one or more routable components, such as electrical circuits, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, or optical cables. Further, the method includes displaying, on a display, the routing diagram and at least the portion of the routing set highlighted. Displaying at least the portion of the routing set highlighted occurs in response to an occurrence of the connectable component being selected from the routing diagram displayed on the display or in response to the request including the connectable component identifier.

Abstract: A claim-based capitation model is proposed for handling vehicle repair insurance claims. Rather than determining a detailed estimate of the expected actual cost of repair, the estimate may be determined using a simpler model. For example, the insurance company and a repair facility may agree to following a predictive payment model in which the insurance company pays a fixed predicted capitated amount of money for each repair claim, regardless of the amount of repair work that will be needed. Alternatively, the insurance company may pre-pay a fixed capitated amount for a predicted number of future insurance claims.

Abstract: A handheld computer device is configured to selectively receive a plurality of fluid output values from a paint sprayer and configured to operate in an accessible mode in which the handheld computer device is in a first location where wireless connectivity, via a continuous or near continuous communication path, to at least one of a network server or the paint sprayer is accessible or operate in an inaccessible mode in which the handheld computer device is in a second location out of range of the continuous or near continuous communication path to at least one of the network server or the paint sprayer.

Abstract: A handheld computer device is configured to selectively receive a plurality of fluid output values from a paint sprayer and configured to operate in an accessible mode in which the handheld computer device is in a first location where wireless connectivity, via a continuous or near continuous communication path, to at least one of a network server or the paint sprayer is accessible or operate in an inaccessible mode in which the handheld computer device is in a second location out of range of the continuous or near continuous communication path to at least one of the network server or the paint sprayer.

Abstract: A handheld computer device is configured to selectively receive a plurality of fluid output values from a paint sprayer and configured to operate in an accessible mode in which the handheld computer device is in a first location where wireless connectivity, via a continuous or near continuous communication path, to at least one of a network server or the paint sprayer is accessible or operate in an inaccessible mode in which the handheld computer device is in a second location out of range of the continuous or near continuous communication path to at least one of the network server or the paint sprayer.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for analyzing damage and processing claims associated with an insured item, such as a vehicle. An enhanced claims processing server may analyze damage associated with the insured item using photos/video transmitted to the server from a user device (e.g., a mobile device). The mobile device may receive feedback from the server regarding the acceptability of submitted photos/video, and if the server determines that any of the submitted photos/video is unacceptable, the mobile device may capture audio descriptions regarding the insured item. To aid in damage analysis, the server may also interface with various internal and external databases storing reference images of undamaged items and cost estimate information for repairing previously analyzed damages to similar items.

Abstract: A static plate heating arrangement includes a faceplate including a port extending from an exterior surface of the faceplate to an interior surface of the faceplate, a fixed resistance heater in thermal communication with the interior surface and surrounding the port, and a self-regulating heater in thermal communication with the interior surface and surrounding the fixed resistance heater. The fixed resistance heater and the self-regulating heater are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A static plate heating arrangement includes a faceplate including a port extending from an exterior surface of the faceplate to an interior surface of the faceplate, a fixed resistance heater in thermal communication with the interior surface and surrounding the port, and a self-regulating heater in thermal communication with the interior surface and surrounding the fixed resistance heater. The fixed resistance heater and the self-regulating heater are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A punching bag and suspension system is a boxing training device that is orientated horizontally, which permits the punching bag to move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, as well as a 360 degree range of motion. The punching bag has a plastic or metal cylindrical tube running through its core. The tube contains an opening on both sides extending to an outer circumference of the punching bag. These openings allow the tube, and therefore the punching bag, to slide along suspension member.

Abstract: A punching bag and suspension system is a boxing training device that is orientated horizontally, which permits the punching bag to move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, as well as a 360 degree range of motion. The punching bag has a plastic or metal cylindrical tube running through its core. The tube contains an opening on both sides extending to the outer circumference of the punching bag. These openings allow the tube, and therefore the punching bag, to slide along suspension member. At the center of the suspension member there is a weight that through gravitational pull, creates an orientation and return point for the punching bag.

Abstract: A punching bag and suspension system is a boxing training device that is oriented horizontally, which permits the punching bag to move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, as well as in 360 degree range of motion. The punching bag has a plastic or metal cylindrical tube running through its core. The tube contains an opening on both sides extending to the outer circumference of the punching bag. These openings allow the tube, and therefore the punching bag, to slide along a suspension member. At the center of the suspension member there is a weight that through gravitational pull, creates an orientation and return point for the punching bag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring ambient and laser temperature in heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) systems are provided. One such system includes a slider having a write head, a laser diode coupled to the slider and configured to direct energy to a magnetic medium, and a preamplifier circuit including a voltage measurement circuit configured to measure a voltage drop across the laser diode, and a current measurement circuit configured to measure a current through the laser diode, where the preamplifier circuit is configured to store calibration information including a plurality of temperatures corresponding with measurements of the voltage drop across the laser diode and measurements of the current through the laser diode, and calculate a temperature based on the measured voltage drop across the laser diode, the measured current through the laser diode, and the calibration information.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head comprising a laser configured to heat the disk while writing to the disk. At least one transmission line couples a laser driver to the laser. Data is written to the disk by pulsing the laser driver, wherein the transmission line comprises an impedance that results in a target pulse shape of optical power output by the laser.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head comprising a laser configured to heat the disk while writing to the disk. At least one transmission line couples a laser driver to the laser. Data is written to the disk by pulsing the laser driver, wherein the transmission line comprises an impedance that results in a target pulse shape of optical power output by the laser.

Abstract: A punching bag and suspension system is a boxing training device that is orientated horizontally, which permits the punching bag to move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, as well as a 360 degree range of motion. The punching bag has a plastic or metal cylindrical tube running through its core. The tube contains an opening on both sides extending to the outer circumference of the punching bag. These openings allow the tube, and therefore the punching bag, to slide along suspension member. At the center of the suspension member there is a weight that through gravitational pull, creates an orientation and return point for the punching bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting DC voltage across positive and negative DC buses to three phase AC voltages on first, second and third AC output lines, the method comprising the steps of providing first and second three phase inverters that include a first subset of inverter switches and a second subset of inverter switches, respectively, linking a first choke in series with the first three phase inverter between the positive and negative DC buses and the AC output lines, linking a second choke in series with the second three phase inverter between the positive and negative DC buses and the AC output lines and synchronously controlling the first and second inverter switch subsets so that switching of first and second inverter switch subsets is substantially synchronized among the three phases.

Abstract: A point of purchase display stand for displaying products includes shelving, lights, cabinets, signs, baskets, and other items that may be supported on a slot wall positioned in the back of the stand. The slot wall may be made up of horizontal slots that allow the aforementioned items to be positioned at a plurality of vertical locations and a virtually infinite number of horizontal locations. End panels and doors may also be added to the display stand for providing security to the contents of the display stand. The shelves may only require a small amount of rotation to be removed from the slot wall. The shelves may be oriented in a plurality of different angular orientations, and they may be optionally connected with adjacent shelves so that any sagging of a given shelf is transmitted to the adjacent shelves, thereby maintaining the shelves in horizontal alignment with each other.

Abstract: A system includes a processor, a memory including a basic input/output system (BIOS) in flash memory that includes digital signature verification, and a BIOS update installation process, and a medium containing a BIOS update file. The BIOS update file includes a signed data portion having a volume header, signed data and executable update code to configure the signed data with data in an unsigned data portion, and a digital signature.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically optimizing the amount of an automatic refill of a shared virtual postage meter is disclosed. A desired time between refills is predetermined based on the capacity of the system to perform refills, the time required to process a refill, and the impact of performing a refill on the overall performance of the system. A refill amount candidate is then determined based on the predetermined desired time between refills, the elapsed time since the last refill and the amount of the last refill. The determined refill amount candidate is then further validated to insure that it falls within a range of a predetermined minimum and maximum refill amounts. Once validated, the refill amount candidate is the optimal refill amount, and the shared virtual postage meter is refilled accordingly.