Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: A network device may execute a process (e.g., a software keep-alive process (SKAP)) that schedules the transmission of keep-alive messages or packets. The network device maintains a database of keep-alive network sessions storing information that is used for scheduling the transmission of the keep-alive messages or packets for the keep-alive network sessions. The database may be read and a next transmission time and session frequency for one or more keep-alive sessions may be determined. The one or more keep-alive sessions may then be placed in appropriate banks within a timer queue based on the determined next transmission time and session frequency. Each bank is associated with a time period from the current time. The keep-alive sessions having sooner next transmission times are placed in higher priority banks. The scheduler may allow for real-time scheduling of the one or more keep-alive sessions.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A system and method for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol, methanol or other volatile chemicals includes: (a) a first distillation stripping column or column set with overhead vapors compressed using mechanical vapor recompression to strip off a weak ethanol overheads; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than the stripping column; (c) a dehydration means in fluid communication with the rectifying column; (d) reboiler for the stripping column which partially condenses the vapor from the mechanical vapor recompression, (e) a trim condenser which completes the condensing of the vapor/liquid mix of the reboiler, (f) a heat recovery circuit which condenses the rectifying column overheads and molecular sieve dry ethanol condenser and (g) a heat exchange to transfer the recovered heat of (f) to the first distillation stripping column reboiler feed.

Abstract: An interlocking construction block system comprising a family of blocks that interlock along three axes, including a left/right axis, a front/back axis, and an up/down axis. The family of blocks are self-aligning and do not require skilled labor or mortar to create a structure of any length, width, height, or shape. Each block comprises a specific geometry that allows all blocks in the family to interlock in a woven pattern that not only locks the blocks in place but also allows even distribution of structural weights and stresses. The disclosed blocks can be manufactured in different sizes to conform to any building code requirement and to create wall lengths to a one-inch measurement. The blocks may comprise channel openings to allow for plumbing, electrical, and structural reinforcements in the structure and may each be reinforced with an internal mesh cage.

Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize luminaires that include wireless communication capabilities that allow the luminaires to be controlled by a wireless-enabled mobile system disposed proximate the luminaires. Control of a network of wireless-enabled luminaires is provided via a single mobile system utilizing wireless communication through at least one gateway luminaire without requiring connection between the luminaires and a central management system (CMS). Information sent to or collected from the luminaires through the mobile system may be transferred via a mobile network interface from or to a CMS. The luminaires may use their wireless communication ability to obtain data from nearby wireless sensors, which data may be collected by the mobile system from luminaires in the network of luminaires when the mobile system is positioned proximate at least one of the luminaires. The sensor data and/or other data may be uploaded to the central management system in a non-real-time period.

Abstract: Described are cleaning devices intended for immersion in water of swimming pools and spas. The devices beneficially may be pressure-side cleaners attached indirectly to outlets of water-circulation pumps. The supply of pressurized water travelling from a pump to such a device may be employed for various purposes, including directing debris-laden water to or near tops of debris collection chambers. The water exiting nozzles associated with the devices may push, rather than pull, the debris-laden water toward the collection chambers. Some nozzles may be oriented approximately parallel to a to-be-cleaned pool surface, and curved tubes may be employed to direct water and debris flow to perimeters of the cleaners.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method of payment for parking of a vehicle including determining the location of the vehicle with a wireless communication device. Determining the location includes using a satellite radio navigation system such as GPS with the facility for user provided corrections and avoiding the use of zone IDs. The method also includes automatically extending an initiated parking session with subsequent prepaid time durations until certain predetermined conditions are met. The method includes automatically determining the end of an initiated parking session based on detecting movement of the vehicle away from a parking spot provided the Handset containing the parking payment App has sensed a Bluetooth tag in the vehicle or paired with the built-in Bluetooth system of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) polypeptides in prokaryotes to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Increased taurine production in prokaryotes could be used as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic compounds or as a supplement in animal feed.

Abstract: A system and method for a quick release of a second object from a first object, e.g., quick release of hurricane panels (second object) from the inside of a habitable structure (first object). A stepped quick release bolt assembly or a dual quick release car assembly may be employed. In the preferred embodiment, a pin passing through a cross bored hole in a stepped bolt disposed in a receiving structure attached to a first object is releasable in order to disconnect the second object from the first object.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for applying a hyperoxic therapy delivery system to a patient; administering hyperoxic gas to the patient according to an oxygen dose-response model; and adjusting the administration of the hyperoxic gas to the patient based upon monitored parameters related to a condition of the patient. Numerous additional features are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly in a timed event including in the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly having a spacer having a thickness of between about 0.125 inches and about 0.5 inches, placing the RFID tag assembly in a position relative to the operating surface of the body a minimum spaced apart distance, receiving at the first side of the two sided planar antenna a first portion of the radio frequency energy as direct energy as transmitted from the antenna of the base station transceiver, receiving at the second side of the two-sided planar antenna a second portion of the radio frequency energy as indirect energy as transmitted from the base station transceiver antenna, the second portion of the radio frequency energy being received at the predetermined operating frequency, and processing the received first and second portions of the radio frequency energy.

Abstract: An example of recovery catheter assembly comprises an actuator element and a mechanically radially expandable and contractible recovery device operably connected to the actuator element. The recovery device has proximal and distal blocking portions and a central portion therebetween. The recovery device is at least partially placeable in a first, radially collapsed configuration and in a second, radially expanded configuration by manipulation of the actuator element. When in the second, radially expanded configuration, the proximal and distal blocking portions have radial dimensions greater than the radial dimension of the central portion thereby at least partially defining a collection chamber at the central portion.

Abstract: An automatic card shuffler to shuffle eight decks of cards (or less) and deal a round of Baccarat. The automatic shuffler comprises two pre-shuffle bins, each receiving approximately four decks of cards wherein the pre-shuffle bins are spaced apart from one another with card slides directing to a card-receiving area. Cards are randomly selected from the cards in each of the pre-shuffle bins and propelled onto the card slides directing the cards to the card-receiving area. Once a sufficient number of buffer cards (e.g., seven) have been deposited into the card-receiving area, a card flipper moves the seven cards against a face plate of an integral dealing shoe. A buffer-holder member maintains the buffer cards against the face plate for dealing as the card flipper returns to a home position to receive more shuffled cards while buffer cards are being dealt in a round of Baccarat.

Abstract: A compartmentalized multiple container base apparatus for separation and recovery of used contaminated abrasive blasting material at a remote work site. A self-contained unitized storage and cleaning system including cyclonic separation, multiple stage dust filters and magnetic drum, air wash and vibratory separation in a flow through contaminate and blast media separation process.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a satellite receiver programmed to estimate a Doppler frequency associated with a satellite signal. Estimating the Doppler frequency includes sampling the satellite signal, resampling the sampled satellite signal, and compensating for a frequency offset associated with the satellite signal. An example satellite receiver includes a sampling device programmed to sample the satellite signal, a resampling device programmed to sample the sampled satellite signal and output a resampled satellite signal, and an incremental phase modulator programmed to filter a frequency offset from the resampled satellite signal.

Abstract: A beverage making machine may be arranged to cool a precursor liquid in a tank using a cooling liquid in a cooling container disposed around the tank. The cooling liquid may be freezable to form ice, e.g., to provide the system with improved cooling capacity and/or speed. A plurality of fins may extend between the tank and the cooling container, with each of the plurality of fins being physically attached to the cooling container or the tank and being arranged to conduct heat from the tank and/or from the cooling liquid. The plurality of fins may include first portions attached to the tank and extending outwardly, and second portions attached to the cooling container and extending inwardly. Side surfaces of corresponding first and second portions may be in contact with each other to aid in transferring heat via the fin portions.

Abstract: A network device may execute a software keep-alive process (SKAP) that enables the network device to continue to send keep-alive packets without interruption even during events such as a network operating system failover/switchover or an in-place system upgrade. The network device maintains a database of keep-alive network sessions storing information that is used to schedule and send keep-alive messages or packets for the keep-alive network sessions. The database may be shared between network operating subsystems and programs executed by the network device. The database may be updated by a network operating subsystem and the information may then be used by the SKAP to schedule and send out keep-alive messages or packets for the keep-alive network sessions. For example, a virtual machine may store information for a keep-alive network session in the database, which is used by SKAP to schedule transmission of keep-alive packets for that keep-alive network session.

Abstract: Disclosed is a messaging system that can be used with either a locked or unlocked container to indicate an elapsed time, such as an elapsed time for taking medication, unauthorized movement, or opening of the container. A capsule placed in the container communicates to an application that may generate alerts for vial openings, failure to open vial when medication due, pilfering or unauthorized movement. A battery in the capsule can be recharged through contacts or induction charging. Various types of sensors can be used in the capsule, including pressure sensors, light sensors, an accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, and a conductive sensor.