Abstract: There is provided a method and system for monitoring the condition of one or more cells within an electrochemical energy storage device. The electrochemical device is operated at a current comprising a predefined time-varying component for a first period of time. Voltage across and a measure of heat generation for each of the plurality of cells is sensed during the first time period. An estimate is then calculated of the open circuit potential of the electrochemical storage device from the predefined time varying component of the current and the sensed voltage during the first time period. Then, for each cell, a function can be calculated which relates a ratio of the time derivatives of the sensed measure of heat generation and voltage to the open circuit potential. From this, a measure of the state of health for each cell can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying electrical energy to a varying load is disclosed. The apparatus comprises fuel cells and energy storage devices. A fuel cell subset comprises one or a plurality of series-connected ones of the fuel cells, having a first no-load open-circuit potential thereacross and is connected in parallel with an energy storage device subset comprising one or a plurality of series-connected ones of the energy storage devices, having a second no-load open-circuit potential thereacross, to form a unit. The unit cell is connected in series or parallel with at least one other unit cell. The fuel cells in the unit cell and the at least one other unit cell are fuel cells of the same fuel cell stack. The arrangement is such that first no-load open-circuit potential and the second no-load open circuit potential are substantially balanced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country- or affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface tor an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country- or affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing long term storage of customized transaction card images, comprising the steps of approving or rejecting a selected customized image, marking the customized image as approved or rejected, packaging the customized image into an image file for a transaction card issuer, sending the image file to the transaction card issuer via a secure transfer process, and sending the image file to long term storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country- or affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing transaction card customization image review, wherein image review is performed by an image reviewer using an online extranet provided by a transaction card franchiser. The method comprises the steps of logging onto the online extranet using a web browser, selecting an image administrator application from a licensed product list of the transaction card franchiser, selecting a customized image for review, and approving or rejecting the customized image, wherein information pertaining to approving or rejecting the customized image is automatically saved in a database of the transaction card franchiser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country—or affiliate—specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country—or affiliate—specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country- or affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing long term storage of customized transaction card images, comprising the steps of approving or rejecting a selected customized image, marking the customized image as approved or rejected, packaging the customized image into an image file for a transaction card issuer, sending the image file to the transaction card issuer via a secure transfer process, and sending the image file to long term storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing transaction card customization image review, wherein image review is performed by an image reviewer using an online extranet provided by a transaction card franchiser. The method comprises the steps of logging onto the online extranet using a web browser, selecting an image administrator application from a licensed product list of the transaction card franchiser, selecting a customized image for review, and approving or rejecting the customized image, wherein information pertaining to approving or rejecting the customized image is automatically saved in a database of the transaction card franchiser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing long term storage of customized transaction card images, comprising the steps of approving or rejecting a selected customized image, marking the customized image as approved or rejected, packaging the customized image into an image file for a transaction card issuer, sending the image file to the transaction card issuer via a secure transfer process, and sending the image file to long term storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for card customization including a centralized issuer hub providing a single point of website integration for applicants in different countries or affiliations, the system comprising a centralized issuer hub comprising a server that coordinates data exchange among a plurality of country- or affiliate-specific websites, a card customization services for processing applicant requests, and an image administrator for customizing applicant submitted images. In operation, a local issuer country website provides a browser-based user interface for an applicant. Card customization services includes a website that recognizes an issuer country or affiliation of the applicant and launches a dedicated country-of affiliate-specific website for the applicant based upon on a country of origin or affiliation of the local issuer country website.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetically levitating and further steering of an intraluminal device, such as a swallowable microelectronic capsule, for monitoring bodily functions is provided. The method comprises diamagnetically-stabilized levitation, followed by dynamic modification of the external magnetic field producing the said levitation, so that the levitating intraluminal device can be steered in desired direction. The said intraluminal device contains appropriate sensors and reports in real time the forces and pressures exerted on it, as well as its position, so that the levitation and the steering can be dynamically adjusted using appropriate dynamic control of external magnetic devices such as solenoids.