Abstract: Automated cold storage unit and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other products in compliance with regulatory requirements are provided. Such units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more controlled temperature zones fitted with temperature sensors. The units include a reader to track product information and status. Product movement within the unit is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with secure access to the contents of the unit and associated product data and information.

Abstract: A power management system and method including a normally-open switch, an on/off circuit, a microprocessor, and at least one sensor to monitor a condition. The on/off circuit includes an on/off control gate-controlled switch device such as a PMOS device for system power, a flip/flop switch to respectively activate and deactivate the on/off control PMOS device, and a transition detection circuit connected to the normally-open switch. A single DC power source establishes a source voltage to power the on/off circuit and the normally-open switch. The transition detection circuit generates an “on” signal when the user initially activates the normally-open switch, and supplies the “on” signal to the flip/flop switch to change it to an “on” state to activate the on/off control PMOS device. While activated, the on/off control PMOS device enables system power from the power source to be provided to at least the sensor and the microprocessor.

Abstract: A power management system and method including a normally-open switch, an on/off circuit, a microprocessor, and at least one sensor to monitor a condition. The on/off circuit includes an on/off control gate-controlled switch device such as a PMOS device for system power, a flip/flop switch to respectively activate and deactivate the on/off control PMOS device, and a transition detection circuit connected to the normally-open switch. A single DC power source establishes a source voltage to power the on/off circuit and the normally-open switch. The transition detection circuit generates an “on” signal when the user initially activates the normally-open switch, and supplies the “on” signal to the flip/flop switch to change it to an “on” state to activate the on/off control PMOS device. While activated, the on/off control PMOS device enables system power from the power source to be provided to at least the sensor and the microprocessor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ? of a composite input signal e(t) on a phase-modulated (e.g., BPSK) communications link. A first demodulator receives the composite input signal and a stable carrier signal and outputs an in-phase output signal; a second demodulator receives the composite input signal and a phase-shifted version of the carrier signal and outputs a quadrature-phase output signal; and phase error ?E(t) contained within the composite input signal e(t) is calculated from the outputs of the first and second demodulators. A time series of statistically independent phase error measurements ?E(t1), ?E(t2), . . . , ?E(tk) is obtained from the composite input signal subtending a time interval ?t=tk?t1 whose value is small enough such that ?(t) and ?(t) can be taken to be constant in ?t.

Abstract: This is a distributed computing system providing flexible fault tolerance; ease of software design and concurrency specification; and dynamic balance of the loads. The system comprises a plurality of computers each having a first input/output interface and a second input/output interface for interfacing to communications networks each second input/output interface including a bypass for bypassing the associated computer. A global communications network interconnects the first input/output interfaces for providing each computer the ability to broadcast messages simultaneously to the remainder of the computers. A meshwork communications network interconnects the second input/output interfaces providing each computer with the ability to establish a communications link with another of the computers bypassing the remainder of computers. Each computer is controlled by a resident copy of a common operating system.