Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable (physical) tethering of a two computer related devices that are not specifically designed to communicate with each other, and, more particularly, to a man-portable and ruggedized physical tether device with hardware and software components for physical tethering and effectuation of data exchange (and subsequent processing of the exchanged data) between, e.g., a data visualization/mobile device and a network data collection device/equipment, without the need to retrofit/redesign any aspect of the visualization/mobile device or the a network collection device/equipment to accomplish the data exchange and subsequent processing of the exchanged data.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring device that can automatically collect temperature data and wirelessly interface with a workflow management system. The device is provided in a portable housing and incorporates one or more temperature sensors, such as a physical probe, infrared sensor, or RFID transceiver, along with an interface for wirelessly communicating with a host personal device that has been programmed with temperature management tasks. The device may be used to automatically collect temperatures and provide wirelessly provide the data to the host for monitoring and tracking as part of a comprehensive workflow management system that includes food safety monitoring and compliance programs.

Abstract: An employee incentive game overlies a sales application used with POS terminals. The game includes a back office portion and a front end employee interface portion. The game parameters, which are set up on the back office portion, identify a start time, a stop time, and a predetermined sales item which is the subject of the game. Each time the predetermined item is sold, the selling cashier receives a point. The front end interface portion informs the cashier of the predetermined sales item, identifies the game parameters, and graphically displays a score card whenever prompted to do so. The score card also shows the standings of the other cashiers in the game. The standings are updated in real time via the POS terminal data gathered by the sales application. At the end of the game, the cashier with the most points is recognized.

Abstract: Circuits (20, 220, 320, 420) are provided for applying electrical charge collected from a piezoelectric device (22) to a charge storage device (24, 224, 424). The circuits comprise a peak detector (32, 232) and a switch(es) (34, 134, 234, 434) which is/are operated to initiate transfer of the electrical charge from the piezoelectric device to the charge storage device upon detection by the peak detector (32, 232) of a peak voltage across the piezoelectric device (22). In an example embodiment, the peak detector (32, 232) comprises a peak-detection capacitance (C4); a gain element (42, 242); and a non-linear PN junction circuit (40). The circuits can also comprise charge multiplier circuit (300) configured to continue application of the electrical charge to the charge storage device (224) after the switch (262) has been turned off and/or after a point in time when magnitude of the voltage across the charge storage device (224) equals the magnitude of the voltage across the piezoelectric device (22).

Abstract: Systems and/or methods where a file requires an associated token to be accessed (see DEFINITIONS section) by the software used to access the file and that the token effectively requires that: (i) a particular authorized copy (or subset of authorized copies) of the software is being used to access the file; and (ii) that the authorized software is being run on an authorized hardware set (for example, organizational server computer). In at least some preferred embodiments, the files are specifically vector file format data files (“vffdf's”). In at least some preferred embodiments: (i) the token associated with the file is called a public token; (ii) the authorized software copy includes a private token; (iii) the file is encrypted; and (iv) the public and private tokens must sufficiently correspond in order for the file to be decrypted and thereby accessed.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a refrigerated container carrying temperature-sensitive cargo. The system includes sensors disposed throughout the container and/or an associated vehicle for measuring parameters of the container or vehicle, including temperature, motion, and fuel efficiency, among many others. The system optionally includes a global positioning system receiver to monitor geographic location. The system communicates with a command center to allow real-time tracking and monitoring of the container. To reduce false positive alerts, the system buffers alerts by at least 30 minutes and blocks signal transmission when the container is located within specified geofences such as loading and unloading sites.

Abstract: A drive circuit (18) produces a drive signal for a pump (10) having a piezoelectric actuator (14), with the piezoelectric actuator (14) forming a part of the drive circuit (18) and serving to shape a waveform of the drive signal. The drive circuit (18) comprises a pulse generator (100) which generates pulses; a converter circuit (102) which receives the pulses and produces charge packets at a rate which equals a desired drive frequency; and, the piezoelectric actuator (14). The piezoelectric actuator (14) receives the charge packets and, by its capacitive nature, integrates the charge packets to shape the waveform of the drive signal. Preferably, the piezoelectric actuator (14) integrates the charge packets to yield a drive field that approximates a sine wave. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the pulse generator (100) comprises a microcontroller-based pulsed width modulator (PWM) circuit (116) and the converter circuit (102) comprises a flyback circuit.

Abstract: A tunable imaging sensor includes a housing with four lenses mounted on a front side. A removable or rotatable filter plate/wheel fits inside the enclosure adjacent the lenses, with a camera plate holding four CMOS or CCD imagers fitting inside the enclosure adjacent the filter plate/wheel. The filter plate includes four filters, one for each lens, while the filter wheel includes sixteen filters which are rotated into position so that four filters are always aligned with the lenses and imagers. Rotating the filter wheel provides sixteen different filter combinations for the sensor. The images from each of the imagers are processed to form a composite image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an RF communications system that includes a first radio processor module having a first receiver portion programmed to convert a first analog receive signal into a first digital audio receive signal. The first analog receive signal conforms to a first set of radio signal parameters. A digital interconnection system is coupled to the first radio processor module. At least one second radio processor module is coupled to the digital interconnection system. The at least one second radio processor module includes at least one second transmission portion programmed to obtain the first digital audio receive signal via the digital interconnection system and convert the first digital audio receive signal into at least one second analog transmit signal conforming to at least one set of second radio signal parameters.

Abstract: A compressor system (20, 20?, 20?) comprises a motion amplifier (22) which acts through a compressor head or piston (46) to compress fluid in a variable compression chamber (52). The motion amplifier (22) comprises a piezoelectric diaphragm (30) and drive electronics (26) for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm. The drive signal is generated to maintain the motion amplifier resonant at a predetermined frequency. The motion amplifier preferably comprises (in addition to the piezoelectric diaphragm) a reaction mass (34) connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm; a reacted mass (40) connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm; and, a reacted mass spring (50, 270) for resiliently carrying the reacted mass. The structure of the motion amplifier carried by the reacted mass spring (e.g., the piezoelectric diaphragm, the reaction mass, and the reacted mass) has a resonant frequency f2.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly (20) comprises at least two piezoelectric diaphragm members (22) arranged in a stacking direction (23). An interface layer (24) is situated between adjacent piezoelectric diaphragm members (22). The interface layer (24) in the stacking direction (23) is displaceable and incompressible or resilient. The interface layer (24) permits lateral movement of the adjacent piezoelectric diaphragm members (22) relative to the interface layer (24) in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (23). The interface layer (24) can comprise, for example, an incompressible liquid or a semi-liquid or a compressible gas. A gasket (26) can be used to seal the substance in the interface layer if necessary.

Abstract: A drive circuit (18) senses a parameter of a piezoelectric actuator (14) operating in a device (10) and adjusts a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter. The drive circuit comprises a controller (100) which controls a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (14); a feedback monitor (122) which obtains a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator works; and, a processor (116) which uses the feedback signal to determine the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator. In one example mode, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is the capacitance or dielectric constant of the piezoelectric actuator. In other example modes, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is impedance or resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generator (20, 120) comprises plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122); an actuator (24) positioned to impart an excitation to the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) in a predefined sequence; and, an electrical conduction system (30) connected to the plural piezoelectric devices for conducting an electrical charge created by the excitation. Preferably the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) are arranged in a predetermined relationship relative to the actuator (24) whereby only one of the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) is actuated at a time. For example, the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) can be arranged in an angular pattern (such as a circular pattern) relative to the actuator (24). Preferably, a rotational speed of the actuator (24) permits an excitation response for a given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) to essentially fully decay before the given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) is again excited.

Abstract: An energy scavenging apparatus comprises a frame which can be human-carried or human-borne; plural cantilevered bimorph piezoelectric members connected to the frame to have an essentially parallel orientation, each cantilevered bimorph piezoelectric member comprising a proximal end connected to the frame and a distal end; and, a mass member connected to the distal end of the plural cantilevered bimorph piezoelectric members.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser (20) comprises a housing (22) for defining a fluid chamber (24). The housing (22) has an orifice (26) through which fluid is discharged. A piston (28) is positioned in the housing (22) for linear motion in the chamber for expelling fluid from the chamber and through the orifice (26). A piezoelectric actuator assembly (30) is positioned in the housing for imparting the linear motion to the piston. In one example implementation, the fluid dispenser housing takes the form of a syringe. In the syringe implementation, a syringe housing defines an essentially cylindrical fluid chamber. In an example embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator assembly (30(4)) comprises a first piezoelectric actuator (501); a second piezoelectric actuator (502); and, a circuit (34(4)) for actuating the first piezoelectric actuator (501) and the second piezoelectric actuator (502).

Abstract: A valve (20) comprises a valve body (22) having for defining a valve chamber (28) and having plural ports (P). A flow restrictor (32) is situated in the valve chamber (28) for providing selective communication of fluid between selected ones of the plural ports (P). One or more piezoelectric actuator(s) (40) displace the flow restrictor (32) to achieve the communication of the fluid between selected ones of the plural ports (P). In one example embodiment a biasing element (48) is situated in the valve chamber opposite the piezoelectric actuator (40). In another example embodiment, two piezoelectric actuators (40) are provided, one at each of opposing ends of the valve chamber (28).