Abstract: An ambulatory medical device is provided. The ambulatory medical device includes at least one sensor configured to acquire sensor data descriptive of patient motion and at least one processor coupled to the at least one sensor. The at least one processor is configured to detect the patient motion from the sensor data, and to classify the patient motion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a rotation sensing device are provided. The rotation sensing device may include a magnet, a magnetic field sensor located in a fixed position relative to the magnet, the magnetic field sensor configured to sense a magnetic field of the magnet, and a flux conductor configured to alter the magnetic field of the magnet, wherein the flux conductor is mounted to a rotatable element. The magnet may be mounted in a fixed position relative to the flux conductor, and the magnetic field sensor may be configured to generate a signal based on a sensed strength of the magnetic field in accordance with rotation of the flux conductor.

Abstract: Methods for preparing retroreflective articles include providing a thermoplastic polymeric carrier layer, partially embedding transparent microspheres into the surface of the carrier layer so that the beads partially protrude from the surface of the carrier layer, depositing a metal reflective layer on the microspheres, applying a treatment solution to the metal layer, and applying a bead bond layer to the treated metal layer, to form an intermediate article. Upon removal of the carrier layer, the deposited metal layer not in contact with the surface of the microspheres remains present on the carrier layer, to form retroreflective articles with a discontinuous layer of reflective metal disposed only on the surface of the transparent microspheres.

Abstract: Retroreflective article and precursor articles formed during the preparation of the retroreflective articles are provided. Also, methods of making both the precursor articles and the retroreflective articles are provided. The retroreflective articles and the precursor articles contain a reflective layer that includes both a reflective metal and a polymeric blend. The polymeric blend includes both a fluorinated polymer and a (meth)acrylate polymer. The retroreflective articles typically have anti-staining properties, anti-corrosion properties, or both.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a polyurethane bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres, and at least one reflective layer. The polyurethane bead bond layer is the reaction product of a reaction mixture of at least one aliphatic polycarbonate polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and the reaction mixture is free of polyols containing unsaturated groups. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.

Abstract: Retroreflective article and precursor articles formed during the preparation of the retroreflective articles are provided. Also, methods of making both the precursor articles and the retroreflective articles are provided. The retroreflective articles and the precursor articles contain a reflective layer that includes both a reflective metal and a polymeric blend. The polymeric blend includes both a fluorinated polymer and a (meth)acrylate polymer. The retroreflective articles typically have anti-staining properties, anti-corrosion properties, or both.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a rotation sensing device are provided. The rotation sensing device may include a magnet, a magnetic field sensor located in a fixed position relative to the magnet, the magnetic field sensor configured to sense a magnetic field of the magnet, and a flux conductor configured to alter the magnetic field of the magnet, wherein the flux conductor is mounted to a rotatable element. The magnet may be mounted in a fixed position relative to the flux conductor, and the magnetic field sensor may be configured to generate a signal based on a sensed strength of the magnetic field in accordance with rotation of the flux conductor.

Abstract: An ambulatory medical device is provided. The ambulatory medical device includes at least one sensor configured to acquire sensor data descriptive of patient motion and at least one processor coupled to the at least one sensor. The at least one processor is configured to detect the patient motion from the sensor data, and to classify the patient motion.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a polyurethane bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres, and at least one reflective layer. The polyurethane bead bond layer is the reaction product of a reaction mixture of at least one aliphatic polycarbonate polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and the reaction mixture is free of polyols containing unsaturated groups. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.

Abstract: Methods for preparing retroreflective articles include providing a thermoplastic polymeric carrier layer, partially embedding transparent microspheres into the surface of the carrier layer so that the beads partially protrude from the surface of the carrier layer, depositing a metal reflective layer on the microspheres, applying a treatment solution to the metal layer, and applying a bead bond layer to the treated metal layer, to form an intermediate article. Upon removal of the carrier layer, the deposited metal layer not in contact with the surface of the microspheres remains present on the carrier layer, to form retroreflective articles with a discontinuous layer of reflective metal disposed only on the surface of the transparent microspheres.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to optimizing the distribution of point-to-point and broadcast messages in a layered mesh network of nodes. In one aspect, a node in the mesh network identifies a point-to-point frequency for sending a point-to-point message to a preferred node, which facilitates communication with a collector node. The node also identifies a broadcast frequency of the preferred node that is distinct from the point-to-point frequency. According to one configuration, the broadcast frequency is offset a predetermined number of frequency channels from the point-to-point frequency. In addition to listening on the broadcast frequency, the node further identifies and listens on a receive frequency for point-to-point messages from other nodes.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for creating a remnant magnetization on a magnetic tape medium. The magnetic tape is first substantially demagnetized, e.g., erased, by an erasure unit having multiple magnetic elements of alternating polarity. The erased magnetic tape is then passed by a bias magnet that creates a remnant magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remnant magnetized magnetic tape is then passed through a servo write head that writes servo patterns to the remnant magnetized magnetic tape. The bias magnet may be housed within the erasure unit or within a bias unit, and the distance between the bias magnet and the tape path of the magnetic tape may be adjustable to create the desired remnant magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remnant magnetization created on the magnetic tape may be greater than 20 percent to reduce defects in the servo pattern written to the magnetic tape.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to optimizing the distribution of point-to-point and broadcast messages in a layered mesh network of nodes. In one aspect, a node in the mesh network identifies a point-to-point frequency for sending a point-to-point message to a preferred node, which facilitates communication with a collector node. The node also identifies a broadcast frequency of the preferred node that is distinct from the point-to-point frequency. According to one configuration, the broadcast frequency is offset a predetermined number of frequency channels from the point-to-point frequency. In addition to listening on the broadcast frequency, the node further identifies and listens on a receive frequency for point-to-point messages from other nodes.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for creating a remnant magnetization on a magnetic tape medium. The magnetic tape is first substantially demagnetized, e.g., erased, by an erasure unit having multiple magnetic elements of alternating polarity. The erased magnetic tape is then passed by a bias magnet that creates a remnant magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remnant magnetized magnetic tape is then passed through a servo write head that writes servo patterns to the remnant magnetized magnetic tape. The bias magnet may be housed within the erasure unit or within a bias unit, and the distance between the bias magnet and the tape path of the magnetic tape may be adjustable to create the desired remnant magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remnant magnetization created on the magnetic tape may be greater than 20 percent to reduce defects in the servo pattern written to the magnetic tape.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for creating a remanence magnetization on a magnetic tape medium. The magnetic tape is first substantially demagnetized, e.g., erased, by an erasure unit having multiple magnetic elements of alternating polarity. The erased magnetic tape is then passed by a bias magnet that creates a remanence magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remanence magnetized magnetic tape is then passed through a servo write head that writes servo patterns to the remanence magnetized magnetic tape. The bias magnet may be housed within the erasure unit or within a bias unit, and the distance between the bias magnet and the tape path of the magnetic tape may be adjustable to create the desired remanence magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remanence magnetization created on the magnetic tape may be greater than 20 percent to reduce defects in the servo pattern written to the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A syringe pump which includes a pusher block is slidably mounted on bearings on one or more guide rails. The pusher block is advanced or retracted by a lead screw having an axis which is offset from the axis of the one or more guide rails which are supported at their respective ends by support blocks, wherein forward and/or trailing sides of the pusher block bearings are extended, and wherein the guide rail support blocks include recesses for accommodating the extended ends of the pusher block slide bearings. In another embodiment, the syringe pump includes quick connect-disconnect fixtures for loading and unloading syringes. Other mechanical, and programmable improvements are described in the specification.

Abstract: A syringe pump which includes a pusher block is slidably mounted on bearings on one or more guide rails. The pusher block is advanced or retracted by a lead screw having an axis which is offset from the axis of the one or more guide rails which are supported at their respective ends by support blocks, wherein forward and/or trailing sides of the pusher block bearings are extended, and wherein the guide rail support blocks include recesses for accommodating the extended ends of the pusher block slide bearings. In another embodiment, the syringe pump includes quick connect-disconnect fixtures for loading and unloading syringes. Other mechanical and programmable improvements are described in the specification.

Abstract: Embodiments for rotation sensing are provided. A device may include a magnet apparatus including a first and a second magnet. The magnet apparatus may be configured to be coupled to a dial apparatus of a meter. The device may include a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor configured to be coupled to a dial cover. The magnetic field sensors may generate signals based upon the sensed magnetic fields. In some embodiments, the device may include logic for counting rotations and/or logic for detecting abnormal conditions such as a missing dial hand, missing dial cover, magnetic tampering and/or malfunctioning magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: Magnetic storage media and methods for constructing magnetic storage media that include a multilayer structure are described. In some examples, a magnetic recording medium can be formed by forming an underlayer over a substrate, drying the underlayer, milling a plurality of magnetic particles, and forming a magnetic layer that includes the plurality of magnetic particles over the underlayer. The magnetic particles may be selected from the group consisting of magnetic platelet-shaped particles and magnetic particles with an aspect ratio less than or equal to approximately 1.5. In addition, the milling process may include milling the plurality of magnetic particles so a magnetic medium formed in the absence of an applied magnetic field exhibits a longitudinal squareness less than or equal to approximately 0.40.

Abstract: Magnetic storage media and methods for constructing magnetic storage media that include a multilayer structure are described. In general, the magnetic storage media include a substrate, an underlayer formed over the substrate, and a magnetic layer that includes a plurality of magnetic particles formed over the underlayer. In some examples, a magnetic recording medium can be formed by forming an underlayer over a substrate, drying the underlayer, and heat-curing the underlayer prior to forming a magnetic layer over the underlayer. A magnetic layer can then be formed over the underlayer. The magnetic layer may includes a plurality of magnetic particles selected from the group consisting of magnetic platelet-shaped particles and magnetic particles with an aspect ratio less than or equal to approximately 1.5, may then be formed over the underlayer.