Abstract: A publish and subscribe architecture can be utilized to manage records, which can be used to accomplish the various functional goals. At least one template having definitions for managing production and consumption of data within an unconfigured group of computing resources is maintained. Records organized by topic collected from multiple disparate previously configured producers are utilized to initiate configuration of the unconfigured group of computing resources. Records within a topic are organized by a corresponding topic sequence. A first portion of the computing resources are configured as consumers based on the at least one template. The consumers to consume records at a pace independent of record production. A second portion of the computing resources are configured as producers based on the at least one template. The producers to produce records at a pace independent of record consumption.

Abstract: A particle disengagements device comprising a baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate comprises one or more guide baffles and one or more separation baffles, wherein the one or more guide baffles and the one or more separation baffles define one or more air flow paths and one or more solid flow paths and associated systems and methods.

Abstract: A publish and subscribe architecture can be utilized to manage records, which can be used to accomplish the various functional goals. At least one template having definitions for managing production and consumption of data within an unconfigured group of computing resources is maintained. Records organized by topic collected from multiple disparate previously configured producers are utilized to initiate configuration of the unconfigured group of computing resources. Records within a topic are organized by a corresponding topic sequence. A first portion of the computing resources are configured as consumers based on the at least one template. The consumers to consume records at a pace independent of record production. A second portion of the computing resources are configured as producers based on the at least one template. The producers to produce records at a pace independent of record consumption.

Abstract: A particle disengagements device comprising a baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate comprises one or more guide baffles and one or more separation baffles, wherein the one or more guide baffles and the one or more separation baffles define one or more air flow paths and one or more solid flow paths and associated systems and methods.

Abstract: A particle disengagements device comprising a baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate comprises one or more guide baffles and one or more separation baffles, wherein the one or more guide baffles and the one or more separation baffles define one or more air flow paths and one or more solid flow paths and associated systems and methods.

Abstract: A particle disengagements device comprising a baffle plate, wherein the baffle plate comprises one or more guide baffles and one or more separation baffles, wherein the one or more guide baffles and the one or more separation baffles define one or more air flow paths and one or more solid flow paths and associated systems and methods.

Abstract: A catalyst standpipe comprising a horizontal section, a sloped section, and vertical section, wherein the vertical section comprises one or more ring portions and associated methods and systems.

Abstract: A separation swirl tube comprising: a tubular housing, a gas-solids inlet opening, a gas outlet conduit, a vane, and a VSP vortex stabilizer and associated methods and systems.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray image sensor, a computing device, and an interface package is provided. The interface package includes a first interface to the X-ray image sensor and a second interface to the computing device. A sensor holder is integrated with the interface package to hold the X-ray image sensor when the sensor is not being used. The interface package may include an electrical cable coupled to the interface for connecting the interface to the sensor or to the computing device. The sensor holder may be integrated with a housing of the interface package. Alternatively, the sensor holder may be integrated with a connector on the electrical cable. In other embodiments, the sensor holder may be attached to the electrical cable. The interface package may include a wireless e to a wireless sensor and/or to the computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for selling gaming tickets at a fuel dispenser. A kiosk is provided in a physical proximity of the fuel dispenser. The kiosk has a gaming controller and a communication interface through which the kiosk can communicate electronically with a remote gaming machine and with the fuel dispenser. The gaming controller monitors whether a user is using the fuel dispenser, and then, after it is determined that the fuel dispenser is being used, triggers a user interface through which the user can select a desired game of chance. After the user selects a game of chance, gaming data corresponding to the selected game is then communicated electronically to the remote gaming machine from the kiosk.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for selling at a fuel dispenser merchandise to be shipped to the customer. A point-of-sale (POS) kiosk is provided in a physical proximity of the fuel dispenser. The POS kiosk has a controller and a communication interface. The controller monitors whether fuel is dispensed by the fuel dispenser. A user interface through which a user can select a desired merchandise is provided, after it is determined that fuel is being dispensed by the fuel dispenser. The POS kiosk communicates electronically through the communication interface to obtain customer information corresponding to a shipping address for the selected merchandise from a credit agency and/or a database, with minimal or no input of information by the user for obtaining the shipping address.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray image sensor and an image capture controller is provided. The X-ray image sensor includes a sensor array comprising a plurality of CMOS active column sensors. The image capture controller communicates with the X-ray image sensor to read out pixel values from selected ones of the CMOS active column sensor elements. The image capture controller may randomly select reference pixels from the plurality of CMOS active column sensor elements, and compare a signal of the reference pixels to a predetermined level to determine a start of X-ray exposure. The image capture controller also may randomly select second reference pixels from the plurality of CMOS active column sensor elements, and monitor the second reference pixels to determine an end of X-ray exposure. The X-ray imaging system also may include a wireless interface for coupling the X-ray image sensor to the image capture controller. The X-ray imaging system may be used as a dental X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray image sensor, a computing device, and an interface package is provided. The interface package includes a first interface to the X-ray image sensor and a second interface to the computing device. A sensor holder is integrated with the interface package to hold the X-ray image sensor when the sensor is not being used. The interface package may include an electrical cable coupled to the interface for connecting the interface to the sensor or to the computing device. The sensor holder may be integrated with a housing of the interface package. Alternatively, the sensor holder may be integrated with a connector on the electrical cable. In other embodiments, the sensor holder may be attached to the electrical cable. The interface package may include a wireless e to a wireless sensor and/or to the computing device.

Abstract: An X-ray image sensor comprising an array of sensor elements and a sensor characterization storage device is provided. The sensor characterization storage device stores sensor characterization information identifying defects in the array of sensor elements. The X-ray image sensor may have an intergrated interpolator, and the interpolator processes image data from the array of sensor elements by using the sensor characterization information to correct for the defects in the array of sensor elements. An X-ray imaging system comprising the X-ray image sensor and a computer also is provided. The X-ray image sensor provides to the computer a signal corresponding to image data from the array of sensor elements. The X-ray image sensor provides to the computer the sensor characterization information, and the computer processes the image data using the sensor characterization information to correct for the defects in the array of sensor elements.