Abstract: A device for communication with a terminal. The device comprises: a communication unit for communicating with the terminal; a biometric unit comprising a biometric sensor for sensing biometric data; contacts for connecting the device to the terminal; a first physical interface between the biometric unit and the contacts configured to enable contact communication between the biometric unit and the terminal; and a second physical interface between the communication unit and the biometric unit configured to enable contact communication between the communication unit and the biometric unit. The device is configured such that all contact communications between the terminal and the communication unit are routed through the biometric unit via the first and second physical interfaces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flex inlay is provided. The method includes providing a flexible printed circuit having opposed surfaces. The method includes attaching components to a surface of the flexible printed circuit. The method includes applying a coverlay over at least one surface of the flexible printed circuit, wherein the coverlay is patterned to not cover any components attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit. The coverlay at least in part forms an essentially planar surface of the flex inlay.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for validating a tensioning and locking procedure for a band using a banding tool and for determining at least one characteristic of the banding tool for determining whether a component needs repair or replacement. The systems and methods include receiving data from one or more sensors disposed on a banding tool, validating and releasing one or more components of the tool based on the data meeting one or more thresholds, and/or determining that the one or more components of the tool requires repair or replacement. The systems and methods also provide for predictive maintenance based on the received data.

Abstract: A smart card inlay comprising an inductive antenna and a DC-DC converter. The inductive antenna is configured to (i) communicate wirelessly with a card terminal, and (ii) power card circuitry via inductive coupling to the card terminal. The DC-DC converter has an input coupled to the inductive antenna and an output connectable to card circuitry. The DC-DC converter is configured to receive an input power signal from the inductive antenna and convert that input power signal to an output power signal to send to the card circuitry, the output power signal matching the operating current and/or operating voltage of the card circuitry.

Abstract: A control device for operating a fire extinguisher system includes at least one hose (3) having an extinguisher nozzle (4) arranged at the end of the hose (3) to be operated by an operator for releasing a pressurized extinguishing fluid. A conveying pump (5) conveys the pressurized extinguishing fluid in the hose (3) towards the extinguisher nozzle (4). A first supply line (7) connects the conveying pump (5) to a tank (8) of a fire extinguisher device, such as a fire extinguisher vehicle (1). A second supply line (9) connects the conveying pump (5) to a stationary extinguishing fluid source (2). A multi-port switch valve (10) connects upstream of the conveying pump (5), proximate the first supply line (7) and second supply line (9).

Abstract: A magnetic particle suspension system includes a vessel defining a chamber and an opening to the chamber, particles magnetically responsive to a magnetic field disposed in the chamber, and a suspension apparatus for controllably moving the magnetic field along a path having an engagement portion in which the magnetic field effects a magnetic response in the particles, wherein the suspension apparatus includes a motor, an arm movably driven by the motor, and a magnet supported by the arm for movement along the path, wherein the motor rotatably drives the arm about a drive axis so that the magnet travels along a circumaxial path about the drive axis.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement and biocompatible pump head for a pump includes a reinforcement structure having a plurality of ports and fluid pathways therein. The fluid pathways in the reinforcement may be coated or lined with a biocompatible material to form a biocompatible pump head useful for liquid chromatography and other analytical instrument systems. The biocompatible material may be injection molded into the fluid pathways of the reinforcement structure and may be machined after core pins are removed to obtain a desired surface finish and/or size of the biocompatible fluid pathways of the pump head.

Abstract: System for display and presence detection are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a display and a sensor. The sensor may include a display switch, first and second display electrodes, and a light emission layer. The sensor may include a sensor switch, a sensor electrode, and an analog front end. The system may further include an external surface configured to transmit light emitted by the light emission layer toward a user.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal; an embedded chip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response; and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete; wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A cache includes a p-by-q array of memory units; a row addressing unit; and a column addressing unit. Each memory unit has an m-by-n array of memory cells. The column addressing unit has, for each memory unit, m n-to-one multiplexers, one associated with each of the m rows of the memory unit, wherein each n-to-one multiplexer has an input coupled to each of the n memory cells associated with the row associated with that multiplexer. The row addressing unit has, for each memory unit, n m-to-one multiplexers, one associated with each of the n columns of the memory unit, wherein each m-to-one multiplexer has an input coupled to each of the m memory cells associated with the column associated with that multiplexer. The row addressing unit and column addressing unit support reading and/or writing of the array of memory units, e.g. using virtual or physical addresses.

Abstract: A method for processing a sample of a cell culture composition includes diluting the sample followed by filtering the diluted sample, wherein the dilution may be at least 10 parts by volume of a diluent to one part sample, and the filter may be a porous membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of less than 20,000 Daltons. The dilution may be carried out at a multiple-port dilution valve having a first condition and a second condition. The sample may be mixed with the diluent at a predetermined dilution ratio when the dilution valve is in the second condition.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A fluid immersion control system may use a common electrode along with a plurality of sensor electrodes at a planar surface associated with a distal end of an immersion microscope objective to monitor electrical resistance of a fluid as an indication of presence of a fluid layer having a meniscus greater than a diameter of an optical axis used for immersion microscopy. The fluid immersion control system may activate replenishment of the fluid when the resistance indicates that the diameter is not immersed in the fluid.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flex inlay is provided. The method includes providing a flexible printed circuit having opposed surfaces. The method includes attaching components to a surface of the flexible printed circuit. The method includes applying a coverlay over at least one surface of the flexible printed circuit, wherein the coverlay is patterned to not cover any components attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit. The coverlay at least in part forms an essentially planar surface of the flex inlay.

Abstract: A multiple channel selector valve includes a stator and a rotor that is rotatable with respect to the stator. The rotor face includes first and second fluid flow paths for transferring fluids to selected sets of passages in the stator. The fluid flow paths in the rotor face are specifically configured to accommodate high fluid flow rate regimes while reducing flow restriction.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for controlling fluid flow and in particular fluid flow through a microfluidic multi-port control valve assembly of a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) unit. The flow control apparatus has a localized data repository for storing cumulative wear indications of components of the apparatus. The stored information travels with the apparatus allowing for more reliable predictive failure of components of the apparatus.

Abstract: System for display and presence detection are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a display and a sensor. The sensor may include a display switch, first and second display electrodes, and a light emission layer. The sensor may include a sensor switch, a sensor electrode, and an analog front end. The system may further include an external surface configured to transmit light emitted by the light emission layer toward a user.

Abstract: A membrane-based fluid degassing system is arranged for automated control to a degassing efficiency set point, so that fluid is degassed only as necessary. The control variable may be assigned as the degassing environment, to provide the gas transfer driving force suitable to appropriately degas the fluid. By avoiding unnecessary degassing of the fluid, mobile phase pervaporation through the membrane is minimized.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures. Various embodiments of an optical system for directing light for optical measurements such laser-induced fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis are disclosed. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a thermally conductive housing and a thermoelectric controller, a plurality of optical fibers, and one or more optical elements to direct light emitted by the optical fibers to illuminate a flow cell. The housing is configured to attach to a flow cell.

Abstract: The pressure fluctuations in a fluid degassing system may be diminished by independently controlling the intake phase and the exhaust phase of an evacuation pump. The speed of the pump's drive element may be modulated at least during the intake phase to more closely align with a pressure set point in a degassing module.