Abstract: A liquid injector (400) injects a medical liquid into a patient whose fluoroscopic image data is to be picked up, and generates injection history data corresponding to the injection. A control box (500) allocates identification data associated with the fluoroscopic image data to the injection history data, and PACS (300) stores the fluoroscopic image data and the injection history data allocated with the identification data. The injection history data is also stored in association with the fluoroscopic image data to be stored, and hence the injection history data can also be confirmed when viewing the fluoroscopic image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pigment that changes color upon exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas. The pigment may be ground or otherwise reduced to small particles and used in coatings, dyes, paints or inks. Potential applications for paints and inks include the production of warning indicators for the presence of hydrogen gas in areas where such presence may pose a hazard. Warning decals may be printed with pigmented ink and posted in areas of potential hydrogen hazard. In the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas, the decals can display a warning by causing a change in the color of a printed message. Objects may also be coated with pigmented paints so that if a hydrogen sulfide leak occurs from within or nearby the object, the color of the object changes to provide a warning of the presence of leaked hydrogen sulfide. Example applications of such painted objects include any industrial process containing hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A system and method of facilitating a transfer of a refund amount from an educational institution to a student. A refund controller receives from an educational institution a request for authorization of an instant paper check of a payment amount equal to at least a portion of a total refund amount associated with the student of the educational institution student. The refund controller verifies the payment amount is equal to or less than an amount of funds available to the student and transfers funds equal to the payment amount to an instant issuance account. The refund controller authorizes the educational institution to issue an instant paper check for the payment amount to the student. The instant paper check draws from the instant issuance account.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining a voltage output of a programmable power converter based on programming voltage data received from one of a variety of alternate sources. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a control unit is adapted to monitor a digital data serial interface, a digital data parallel interface, and an analog data interface to determine whether programming voltage data has been received. If programming voltage data has been received, the data is used to determine an output voltage for the programmable power converter. If more than one set of programming voltage data has been received, a determination is made as to which set of data takes priority. The selected set of data is then used to determine an output voltage for the programmable power converter.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to facilitate a transfer of a refund amount from an educational institution to a student. For example, a refund controller may receive from an educational institution an indication of a refund amount associated with a student of the educational institution student. The refund controller may then determine a method of refund delivery associated with the student and automatically arrange for the refund amount to be provided to the student in accordance with the determined method of delivery.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interleaving point-of-load (POL) regulators such that each regulator's switching cycle is phase displaced with respect to those of other POL regulators in the array is disclosed. As a result, the aggregate input and/or output reflected ripple and noise of the input, output, or both is reduced. Each regulator in the array is associated with an unique address. A serial data-line writes the phase spacing programmed to each addressable POL regulator in the array. The present invention permits phase displacement of POL regulators without limitation to the input and output voltages of each of the regulators in the array. The array of POL regulators may also operate in a phase displaced mode with only a single control line. The need for separate controllers and multiple control lines is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using a serial bus to communicate (either passively or actively) with a point-of-load (“POL”) regulator. Specifically, a power supply controller (“controller”) communicates with at least one POL regulators by writing and/or reading data (either synchronously or asynchronous) over a unidirectional or bi-directional serial bus. In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to write initial-configuration data (e.g., output voltage set-point, current limit set-point, etc.) to at least one POL regulator via the serial bus. At least a portion of the initial-configuration data is then used by the POL regulator to produce a particular output. In another embodiment of the invention, each POL regulator includes at least one register for maintaining POL information, such as unique identification information, fault protection information, output voltage set-point data, current limit set-point data, etc.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.

Abstract: An improved mallet for percussive musical instruments comprises, in one embodiment, a shaft (1100, 1200, etc.), an adapter or inner core (300, 1400), an elastomeric surrounding core (400), and an elastomeric core overlay (1200). Optionally a cover (1300), or optionally two simultaneously-wound layers of yarn or other wrapping material (1705, 1710) are attached over the assembly. The adapter or inner core and the elastomeric surrounding core are formed together in molds (700, 900). Yarns are wrapped either by hand or with the use of a wrapping machine comprising a rotary motive source, a chuck (1810), and wrapping arms (1825, 1830) for interweaving the layers of yarn. In an alternative embodiment the adapter has a through-hole to permit extension of the shaft through the adapter to near the top of the mallet head. Numerous percussive sound effects are achieved by selection of the properties of the adapter or inner core, surrounding core, overlay, and yarn layers.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for ascertaining whether multiple radios available for connection to a mobile computing device are associated with a single wireless device comprise the steps of: using the mobile computing device to receive data from a radio of a wireless device; querying a database to ascertain whether the mobile computing device has previously identified that radio; if not, sending a request for identifying information to the radio; if no response is received, scanning the received data from the radio to look for and capture identifying information; processing the captured identifying information into a simplified name; querying the database to ascertain whether the mobile computing device has previously identified another radio with a similar simplified name, which indicates that the respective radios are associated with a single wireless device; communicating information that the respective radios are associated with a single wireless device to one or more software applications; and sto

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for identifying and selecting a wireless device for connection comprises the steps of: using a computing device to receive data identifying each wireless device available for connection to the computing device in a given location; querying a database for information about each wireless device identified in the given location; determining connection requirements for the computing device; and selecting a wireless device for connection based on an analysis of the information about each wireless device available for connection to the computing device in the given location in view of the determined connection requirements.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for managing user preferences for one or more software applications running on a mobile computing device comprises the steps of: using the mobile computing device to receive data concerning a location of the mobile computing device; using the mobile computing device to receive data about each wireless device present and/or available for connection in the location; querying a first database to ascertain optimal user preferences for the one or more software applications running on the mobile computing device based on the location of the mobile computing device and the wireless devices present and/or available for connection in the location; and communicating instructions to one or more software applications for changing the user preferences associated with each software application to the optimal user preferences.

Abstract: A computer-based method for inferring a location of a mobile computing device comprises the steps of using the mobile computing device to receive data about one or more devices present in a first location at a first time, including those devices available for connection; assigning an identification code to each device present in the first location; storing said data and identification code for each device present in the first location in a database; receiving new data about each device present in a location at a subsequent time, including those devices available for connection to the mobile computing device; and inferring that the mobile computing device is at the first location by comparing the new data to the stored data and identification codes.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of point-of-load (POL) regulators each adapted to convey regulated power to a load, a serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a digital power manager connected to the data bus. The digital power manager includes a controller adapted to execute stored instructions to program operational parameters of the plurality of POL regulators via the serial data bus and receive monitoring data from the plurality of POL regulators via the serial data bus. The digital power manager further comprises a user interface, such as an I2C interface, adapted to receive programming data therefrom and send monitoring data thereto.

Abstract: A switched mode voltage regulator has a digital control system that includes dual digital control loops. The voltage regulator comprises at least one power switch adapted to convey power between respective input and output terminals of the voltage regulator and a digital controller adapted to control operation of the power switches responsive to an output of the voltage regulator. The digital controller further comprises dual digital control loops in which a first control loop provides high speed with lower regulation accuracy and a second control loop has high accuracy with lower speed. Thus, the digital control system provides the advantages of both high speed and high regulation accuracy.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of power control groups, with each group comprising a plurality of individual point-of-load regulators each adapted to provide respective regulated voltage outputs. The point-of-load regulators may be selected for inclusion in a power control groups based on characteristics of loads supplied by the point-of-load regulators. An intermediate bus controller is coupled to each of said power control groups through a serial data bus interface common to each group and an OK status line for each respective group. A front end regulator provides an intermediate bus voltage to each of the plurality of power control groups and to the intermediate bus controller. The plurality of point-of-load regulators of each group each further comprises a respective fault manager adapted to detect fault conditions and selectively communicate notifications of the fault conditions to other ones of the plurality of point-of-load regulators of the group and to the intermediate bus controller.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interleaving point-of-load (POL) regulators such that each regulator's switching cycle is phase displaced with respect to those of other POL regulators in the array is disclosed. As a result, the aggregate input and/or output reflected ripple and noise of the input, output, or both is reduced. Each regulator in the array is associated with an unique address. A serial data-line writes the phase spacing programmed to each addressable POL regulator in the array. The present invention permits phase displacement of POL regulators without limitation to the input and output voltages of each of the regulators in the array. The array of POL regulators may also operate in a phase displaced mode with only a single control line. The need for separate controllers and multiple control lines is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: This identity authentication system is used in commercial transactions at a point-of-sale terminal. The system comprises a device for capturing a customer signature (signature pad or a smart pen), a sensor for capturing a biometric property of the customer during the transaction, a local processor, a wireless device carried by the customer, a device reader positioned at the point-of-sale terminal, and a host computer. The customer registers advising the system of a customer account that is to be used for payment. The customer also submits an electronic signature (written script of name) and a digital signature for reference purposes—a fingerprint. The customer is then issued a wireless device, the wireless device having memory. The memory may be an ID card, a credit card, a smart card, a transponder, a barcode, or a combination of these memories. A identifying device reader (such as a card reader, an interrogator, a scanner) is located at the point-of-sale terminal that is compatible with the wireless device.

Abstract: A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.