Abstract: Systems and methods are described for registering and monitoring a status of a plurality of units of an in-flight entertainment system disposed within a vehicle. Using a portable computing device, each of the units can be registered with the server by reading a unique machine-readable identifier disposed on or near each unit. The identifier could be a barcode or other indicia or a NFC tag, for example. Location information about each unit can also be obtained via manual input or by reading a second identifier.

Abstract: Improved methods of transferring a portion of smokable material from a casing into a smokable tube include displacing the casing and the portion of smokable material into the tube by specified amounts and at least partially withdrawing the casing from the tube, while holding the portion in the tube. A device for carrying out the methods includes a tube receiving area for receiving a smokable tube to be filled, portion displacement means for displacing the portion relative to the casing, and casing displacement means for engaging and displacing the casing.

Abstract: A method of transferring a portion (12) of smokable material from a casing (11) into a smokable tube (202), the method comprising advancing at least one of the casing and the portion of smokable material toward the other to advance the casing and the portion into the tube by a first distance less than the length of the space within the tube, at least partially withdrawing the casing from the tube, while holding the portion in the tube, and further driving the tobacco portion into the tube, as well as a corresponding device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for monitoring an on-board cellular network infrastructure. In one aspect, a controller and one or more noise generation units can be used to inhibit passenger devices from connecting to ground-based cellular stations while on-board. The noise generation unit can be configured to generate a noise signal. If a loss of power to an on-board cell station is identified, the noise generation can generate a different noise signal in response.

Abstract: Methods of determining locations, types, and quantities of devices within a vehicle, in particular for in flight entertainment systems. Methods of the inventive subject matter include general sequencing, indirect sequencing, and direct sequencing. In indirect sequencing, each device connected to the in flight entertainment system's wireless network is actuated in a predetermined sequence such that the in flight entertainment system can record locations of the different devices connected to it and then correlate the device locations to a set of potential device locations. In direct sequencing, information from each device is manually collected in sequence and then correlated to potential device locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for monitoring an on-board cellular network infrastructure. In one aspect, a controller and one or more noise generation units can be used to inhibit passenger devices from connecting to ground-based cellular stations while on-board. The noise generation unit can be configured to generate a noise signal. If a loss of power to an on-board cell station is identified, the noise generation can generate a different noise signal in response.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for registering and monitoring a status of a plurality of units of an in-flight entertainment system disposed within a vehicle. Using a portable computing device, each of the units can be registered with the server by reading a unique machine-readable identifier disposed on or near each unit. The identifier could be a barcode or other indicia or a NFC tag, for example. Location information about each unit can also be obtained via manual input or by reading a second identifier.

Abstract: Methods of determining locations, types, and quantities of devices within a vehicle, in particular for in flight entertainment systems. Methods of the inventive subject matter include general sequencing, indirect sequencing, and direct sequencing. In indirect sequencing, each device connected to the in flight entertainment system's wireless network is actuated in a predetermined sequence such that the in flight entertainment system can record locations of the different devices connected to it and then correlate the device locations to a set of potential device locations. In direct sequencing, information from each device is manually collected in sequence and then correlated to potential device locations.

Abstract: A method of transferring a portion (12) of smokable material from a casing (11) into a smokable tube (202), the method comprising advancing at least one of the casing and the portion of smokable material toward the other to advance the casing and the portion into the tube by a first distance less than the length of the space within the tube, at least partially withdrawing the casing from the tube, while holding the portion in the tube, and further driving the tobacco portion into the tube, as well as a corresponding device.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) has at least two pump heads (3) arranged around a central eccentric pump drive (2), the diaphragms (4) being drivingly connected to the eccentric pump drive (2) via connecting rods (5). The eccentric pump drive (2) has a connecting rod ring (6) to which the ends (9) of the connecting rods are connected via elastic intermediates (10).

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) having a diaphragm (11), a solenoid with a movable magnetic armature (8) as a drive element for the diaphragm (11), and a stop element (9) for adjusting the stroke for the drive element (8). The diaphragm pump includes at least one elastic damper (36) between the drive element (8) and the stop element (9), which elastic damper (36) has at least one compression chamber (26) which is surrounded and formed by at least one elastic boundary wall and by at least one rigid boundary wall of the drive element (8) and/or stop element (9).

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) having a diaphragm (11), a solenoid with a movable magnetic armature (8) as a drive element for the diaphragm (11), and a stop element (9) for adjusting the stroke for the drive element (8). The diaphragm pump includes at least one elastic damper (36) between the drive element (8) and the stop element (9), which elastic damper (36) has at least one compression chamber (26) which is surrounded and formed by at least one elastic boundary wall and by at least one rigid boundary wall of the drive element (8) and/or stop element (9).

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) has at least two pump heads (3) arranged around a central eccentric pump drive (2), the diaphragms (4) being drivingly connected to the eccentric pump drive (2) via connecting rods (5). The eccentric pump drive (2) has a connecting rod ring (6) to which the ends (9) of the connecting rods are connected via elastic intermediates (10).

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) is provided with an annular working chamber (6) and an annular diaphragm (3), which is fixed on its outer peripheral region (12) and on its inner edge region (13). The inner and the outer diaphragm fixing points are stationary relative to each other, and a drive element (8) connected to a pump drive for deflection of the annular diaphragm (3) contacts between the outer and inner fixing points. The drive element (8) is formed facing the diaphragm with a sleeve or ring shape with a diameter corresponding approximately to the annular working chamber (6) and contacts with one of its annular ends perpendicular to the diaphragm plane on the side of the annular diaphragm (3) facing the pump drive for deflection and for transmission of a back-and-forth movement to the annular diaphragm (3).

Abstract: A plate valve, especially for diaphragm pumps, having a valve plate (8), a valve seat (15), and a valve chamber bounded by a valve housing is provided, with the valve plate being held at the edges thereof. The valve plate (8) is preset under tension elastically in the installation position between outer edge holding devices, with the elastic pretensioning being at least large enough that deformations due to edge clamping can be compensated. Preferably, the valve plate (8) is held at the edge in a positive fit and is preset under tension elastically between its outer edge holding devices in the installation position.

Abstract: A method for transferring data between a first computer and a second computer includes detecting and recording occurrences, which reduce quality and which lead to a deterioration in the quality of the transferred data.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) is provided with an annular working chamber (6) and an annular diaphragm (3), which is fixed on its outer peripheral region (12) and on its inner edge region (13). The inner and the outer diaphragm fixing points are stationary relative to each other, and a drive element (8) connected to a pump drive for deflection of the annular diaphragm (3) contacts between the outer and inner fixing points. The drive element (8) is formed facing the diaphragm with a sleeve or ring shape with a diameter corresponding approximately to the annular working chamber (6) and contacts with one of its annular ends perpendicular to the diaphragm plane on the side of the annular diaphragm (3) facing the pump drive for deflection and for transmission of a back-and-forth movement to the annular diaphragm (3).

Abstract: A plate valve, especially for diaphragm pumps, having a valve plate (8), a valve seat (15), and a valve chamber bounded by a valve housing is provided, with the valve plate being held at the edges thereof. The valve plate (8) is preset under tension elastically in the installation position between outer edge holding devices, with the elastic pretensioning being at least large enough that deformations due to edge clamping can be compensated. Preferably, the valve plate (8) is held at the edge in a positive fit and is preset under tension elastically between its outer edge holding devices in the installation position.