Abstract: A system for optimizing power to a valve core movable between first and second positions includes a controller providing a control signal to the core. With the core in the first position, the control signal has a hold voltage, and the controller measures a first self inductance. The control signal is provided with an inrush voltage to move the core to the second position, and with the hold voltage to retain it there. With the core in the second position, the controller measures a second self inductance, decreases the hold voltage, and measures a third self inductance representing the core's actual position. The controller determines, by comparing either the first or second self inductance with the third self inductance, whether the core is in the first or second position. If the core is in the second position, the decreased hold voltage is applied for retaining the core there.

Abstract: Method and device for processing network and storage related traffic is provided. The device includes a network port for interfacing with a network switch; a plurality of ports that receive a converged storage and network protocol related initialization request. Based on selectable criteria, a controller selects a port from among the plurality of ports to respond to the converged storage and network protocol related initialization request. The device also includes a translation module operationally coupled to the port for translating information between a converged network and storage protocol and a storage protocol; and a flexible port that is configured by a port controller to communicate with a storage system using the storage protocol or configured to operate as a network port communicating with a network device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing frames are provided. A system includes an initiator operationally coupled to a first switch that is coupled to a second switch. The first switch includes a plurality of ports for sending and receiving frames and includes a routing table that identifies a port identifier steering table based on an area field of a frame header of a frame received by the first switch. The first switch also includes a plurality of port identifier tables, where each port identifier table is associated with a unique area field and identifies a same port of the first switch for a plurality of area fields. The second switch stores an area steering table with port identification information associated with an area field of a frame header of a frame received by the second switch and a same port of the second switch is assigned to multiple area fields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a Battery Management System (BMS) for the controlling of the charging and discharging of a plurality of battery cell (12). Each battery cell has an associated plurality of control circuits (32, 36) which monitor and control the charging of individual battery cells. These units are controlled by a central microcontroller (14) which shunts current around the battery cell if fully charged and stops discharge if a battery cell is fully discharged in order to prevent damage to the other cells.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a combination of laser sources emitting radiation, focused by a combination of lenses into optical waveguides. The optical waveguide and the laser source are permanently attached to a common carrier, while at least one of the lenses is attached to a holder that is an integral part of the carrier, but is free to move initially. Micromechanical techniques are used to adjust the position of the lens and holder, and then fix the holder it into place permanently using integrated heaters with solder.

Abstract: A canted coil spring includes a first section having a plurality of first canted coils generally canted at an acute first angle relative to a first direction of a centerline extending through the first canted coils, and at least a second section coupled to the first section and having a plurality of second canted coils generally canted at an acute second angle relative to a second direction of the centerline extending through the second canted coils. The second direction is opposite to the first direction when the centerline is in a linear configuration. A method of manufacturing the canted coil includes fabricating a first wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of first coils, and fabricating at least a second wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of second coils. The first wire section is coupled to the second wire section.

Abstract: A system for sampling a bale of fibrous material is provided including a transportation mechanism for moving the bale from a first point to a second point and a first gripper for obtaining a sample from the bale when the bale is at a position between the first point and the second point. The gripper includes a movable finger for gripping the sample from the bale. An actuator comprising an actuating rod is provided for pushing the sample away from the movable finger.

Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A computer system for identifying an individual using a biometric characteristic of the individual includes a biometric sensor for generating a first code, and a controller including a memory for storing the first code and a dynamic binary code conversion algorithm. When the controller receives a sensor code from the biometric sensor, it compares the sensor code with the first code stored in the memory, and if the identity between the sensor code and the first code is verified, the controller generates a first binary code by means of the dynamic binary code conversion algorithm and outputs the first binary code from which the computer system generates a second binary code by means of the dynamic binary code conversion algorithm. The computer system then verifies the identity of the individual if the second binary code matches the first binary code.

Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: Seal assemblies and methods for forming them are described. Aspects of the seal assemblies include a seal ring made of a relative soft material supported by a specially configured backing ring made of a much higher modulus material, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal or engineered plastic. The seal assemblies may optionally include a retaining ring to prevent slippage relative to the environment or housing in which they are placed and to prevent shuttling. The seal assemblies may also optionally include an energizer to alter the force generating by a sealing lip on the seal ring.

Abstract: A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts are disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. A further aspect is a provision for encasing each connector assembly or stack inside a thermoset layer or a thermoplastic layer before over-molding the same to a sealed housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A flexible container for fluid administration is provided having a body defining a cavity, a base, and at least one port comprising a flange in contact with a flange of a terminal port having a punctureable membrane layer. The body has a cross-sectional configuration including a lower body section of a first dimension, a middle body section of a second dimension, and an upper body section of a third dimension, wherein the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension and the third dimension. The flexible container may also include a base having a plurality of creases that are foldable to form two folded ends each including an extension having a base of a first dimension and a tip of a second dimension.

Abstract: Method and system for processing client provisioning and migration requests is provided. The process evaluates a provisioning request and selects a storage that best meets the client requirements. The process determines if non-disruptive migration is possible and if it is possible then the storage is automatically configured for non-disruptive migration. Once the storage is provisioned and configured, the process receives a migration request to migrate information from the storage. The process determines an access protocol used by the client to access the storage. The process determines if a storage system that manages the storage is capable of supporting non-disruptive migration of information from the storage. If the storage system is capable, then a migration technique is automatically selected for migrating the information from the storage.

Abstract: A body portion of the apparatus comprises an interior cavity and a plurality of fluid lumens extending from the cavity to a periphery of the body portion. The apparatus further comprises a first fluid port in fluid communication with a first one of the fluid lumens. The first fluid port is configured to receive a syringe for injecting a liquid diluent and withdrawing a reconstituted liquid medicament. The apparatus further comprises a second fluid port in fluid communication with a second one of the fluid lumens. The second fluid port is configured to receive a medicament vial. The apparatus further comprises a third fluid port at an end of a third one of the fluid lumens for expelling the reconstituted liquid medicament. The apparatus further comprises a stopcock received within the body portion interior cavity and configured to regulate fluid communication between the fluid lumens.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a multi-player music video game with a drum system video game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for providing a drum solo with a music based multi-player video game. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for providing analog input from one or more drum sensors used in game play associated with a music based multi-player video game. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for preventing interference between the one or more drum sensors. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for mapping digital information indicative of input to a video game controller in a first form to information in a second form, the second form conforming to a protocol for inputs to a video game console executing a music based multi-player video game.